Toxicity of Anticancer Drug Residues in Organisms of the Freshwater Aquatic Chain

Antineoplastic drug residues released in the aquatic system represent a potential risk to exposed non-target organisms. Antineoplastic drugs are present in aquatic environments at lower concentration levels than in other therapeutic classes. In particular, antineoplastic drugs are known for their continuous release and subsequent exposure throughout the life span of aquatic organisms and will yield long-term toxicity rather than pose an immediate threat to the environment and human health. Furthermore, these drugs interfere directly or indirectly with DNA and their eco-toxicological effects, such as reproductive inhibition, may modify genetic material. In light of these observations, this chapter aims to investigate the acute and chronic effects of the most commonly used anticancer drugs in organisms of the freshwater trophic chain. The drugs investigated belong to the subgroup L01 of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System and have been chosen considering their occurrence, chemical structures, and modes of action.