Ecotoxicological Tools to Assess Cytostatic Effects in Freshwater Environments: Aiding Drug Prioritization

• DOI: 10.3390/ecmc2022-13246
• Publication Date: 2023-01-13T06:29:11Z
• Authors: Cátia Venâncio; Bruna Monteiro; Rafael Francisco; Márcia C. Neves; Mara G. Freire; Ana Catarina A. S...; Isabel Lopes
• Keywords: Prioritization

Given the growing number of cancer diseases, new cytostatic drugs are approved daily, often with concomitant development, or refinement some these aimed at decreasing patient discomfort during administration period (e.g., prodrugs). Classified as highly toxic, they represent a major environmental problem that may potentiate disease occurrences. For newer and prodrugs there no (or few) reported effects to aquatic organisms; therefore, their prioritization is constrained. In light points raised, IonCytDevice project intended bridge knowledge gaps has delivered important benchmarks. Predictions have been obtained on impacts three cytostatics (cyclophosphamide: CYP; 5-fluoroucil: 5-FU; mycophenolic acid: MPA) one prodrug (capecitabine: CAP) freshwater biota, focus species endpoints likely be also framed in meta-analysis studies. The results reveal that, for now, CYP, 5-FU, CAP (prodrug) pose risk, whilst MPA was flagged high risk.