DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.178233.3 ISSN: 2046-1402

Genotoxicity  effects in Cancer Patients: Evaluation by Micronucleus and Comet Assays and Correlation with Biochemical and Hematological Indices

Sarab Dalaf Khalaf, Atyaf Talal Mahmood, Alyaa Fadhil Abbas, Ruwaida Watheq Neamah, Rana Nasser Abdul Hameed
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Background Cancer is one of the most significant global health challenges. Cytogenetic techniques are used as biomarkers of cancer risk to detect DNA damage and chromosomal abnormalities. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chemotherapy on genetic stability in cancer patients by applying Micronucleus and Comet assays as indicators of DNA and chromosomal alterations. It also aimed to determine the possible links between these genotoxic changes and variations in biochemical and hematological parameters, providing insight into the cellular responses to chemotherapy exposure. Methods Buccal epithelial cells were collected from 190 individuals (90 controls and 100 cancer patients) and stained for micronucleus analysis. To observe DNA breakdown, cells from blood were subjected to an alkaline comet assay. Biochemical (urea, creatinine, calcium, and bilirubin) and hematopoietic (Hb, WBC, Plt, and HCT) parameters were also assessed. Results Cancer patients showed elevated Binucleated cells (27.50 ± 3.62 per 1000 cells, ~6.8-fold), Condensed chromatin (10.50 ± 2.87 per 1000 cells, ~1.3-fold), pyknotic cells (2.65 ± 1.53 per 1000 cells, ~1.6-fold), basal cells (4.65 ± 1.98 per 1000 cells, ~2.4-fold), Karyorrhectic cells (9.45 ± 1.73 per 1000 cells, ~189-fold), Karyolytic cells (85.10 ± 2.69 per 1000 cells, ~8.9-fold), Monoonucleated cell with Micronucleus (12.50 ± 1.43 per 1000 cells, ~8.3-fold), and Percentage of nuclear anomalies in total (152.8 ± 4.75 per 1000 cells) compared with controls. The comet assay results revealed pronounced DNA fragmentation in cancer cells, with variable tail lengths indicating heterogeneous damage. The biochemical results showed a significant increase in the mean levels of urea (50.600 ± 8.259) and creatinine (1.073 ± 0.173), and no significant increase in TSB (0.917 ± 0.143) and HCT(38.080 ± 2.311) in cancer patients compared to the control. Calcium (9.010 ± 0.680), Hb (8.322 ± 1.247), Plt (91.300 ± 24.495), and WBC (11.920 ± 2.833) levels were lower in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusion The increased frequency of nuclear anomalies and DNA fragmentation in cancer patients highlights the potential of the buccal Micronucleus assay and comet assays as effective, non-invasive tools for early cancer detection and genotoxic monitoring. Alterations in the blood and biochemical parameters further support the systemic effects of malignancy.

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