[Degrading anticancer drugs in the medical environment using a visible light-driven photocatalyst]

Occupational exposure to anticancer drugs is recognized as a risk for healthcare workers. Reducing anticancer drugs in the environment is important to prevent the exposure of individuals to anticancer drugs. However, there are currently no effective degrading agents for all anticancer drugs used in clinical settings. We previously reported the resolution of an anticancer drug with the use of a photocatalyst (TiO2), which acts by absorbing ultraviolet light to degrade organic compounds. In this study, we evaluated anticancer drug degradation using a visible light-driven photocatalyst (Cu/WO3). Anticancer drugs [cyclophosphamide (CPA), paclitaxel (PTX), methotrexate (MTX), irinotecan (CPT-11), cytarabine (Ara-C), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)], were experimentally deposited on a stainless steel plate. The visible light-driven photocatalytic agent (0.075% Cu/WO3 solution) was sprayed onto the plate, and the plate was then left under a fluorescent lamp for 12 h. The anticancer drugs remaining on the plate were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CPA, PTX, MTX, CPT-11, Ara-C, and 5-FU were found to be degraded by up to 37.7%, >99.0%, 57.1%, 54.6%, 69.5%, and 36.3%, respectively. The visible light-driven photocatalyst was therefore confirmed to degrade anticancer drugs under a fluorescent lamp. The ability of the visible light-driven photocatalyst to degrade multiple chemotherapeutic agents without the need for altering the light source could make it a useful tool for reducing anticancer drug pollution in clinical settings.