Animal Experiments Using Antineoplastic or Investigational New Drugs

• Contact the EH&S Chemical Hygiene Officer, (858) 822-1579, before beginning work with this protocol to ensure safe use of the chemical agent.
  • If protocol review indicates an unusual or unique risk to researchers or animal care staff, a safety considerations meeting will be required prior to acquiring animals.
  • Safety considerations meetings include all individuals (research staff, animal care personnel, and Environment, Health & Safety) that have a vested interest in ensuring the safe use of the particular chemical agent.

A principal investigator (PI) or knowledgeable designee must provide appropriate safety training.

• Inform employees about handling the drug or chemical, its physical properties (including solubility), and health effects seen in experimental studies and other applicable sources.
  • Review toxicological data from similar compounds if toxicological information is limited.
• Explain possible routes of exposure as appropriate:
  • Inhalation
  • Skin absorption
  • Accidental injection
• Provide and train employees in the proper use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls to prevent exposure.
• Call (858) 534-1086 to provide the Animal Care staff with a summary of the training information.

• Label all containers with the following information:
  • Name of the material
  • Concentration
  • Warnings
  • Protective measures/li>
  • Date, when appropriate
  • Preparer's initials, when appropriate
• Label animal cages with the appropriate hazard communication information below for the first 48 hours following administration of dosing solutions:
  • "Caution: Hazardous Chemical/ Drug"
• Maintain the signage following this initial period according to this criteria:
  • Aqueous dosing solutions – Once the bedding has been changed, the warning sign can be removed.
  • Oil-soluble dosing solutions – Maintain the signage for 96 hours.

• Injection or gavage: Use syringes and intravenous sets with Luer-lock fittings if possible when material is given via injection or gavage.
  • Perform priming into a sterile, alcohol-dampened gauze sponge.
  • Do not prime sets or syringes into the sink or any open receptacle.
  • House all affected animals in micro-isolator cages.
• Diet: Use a closed-caging system if the substance must be administered in the diet. Mix all diets containing the hazardous material in closed containers inside a chemical fume hood or Class II Type B2 biosafety cabinet.
  • See Biosafety Cabinet Usage Guidelines for more information.

Animal bedding that is contaminated by animal excreta containing trace amounts of antineoplastic drugs shed during the animals hazardous period and other materials that are used that come into contact with antineoplastic agents — in addition to waste chemicals — are subject to hazardous waste disposal requirements. Refer to the hazard control plan for details.

• Please reference the Waste Management section of Handling Antineoplastic or Investigational New Drugs.
• See How to Request a Hazardous Waste Collection.

• NIOSH List of Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings (2016)
• NIOSH - Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings
• How to Handle Antineoplastic or Investigational New Drugs.