What is a Cytotoxic Cabinet?
A cytotoxic cabinet is a Class II A2 biosafety cabinet specifically adapted for handling cytotoxic or antineoplastic drugs.
A standard Class II A2 biosafety cabinet already provides effective protection for the operator and the environment against cytotoxic substances during routine use.
The challenge arises during HEPA filter replacement. Normally, biosafety cabinets are decontaminated prior to filter changes. However, standard decontamination procedures do not neutralize cytotoxic drug residues trapped in the HEPA filters. As a result, replacing these filters can pose a serious safety risk for service technicians.
Airflow Principle Inside the Cabinet
Air enters the cabinet through perforations located at the front of the work zone. It then mixes with used downflow air in a common chamber beneath the work area. This air does not mix with the filtered downflow air circulating in the cabinet’s main chamber.
The mixed air subsequently passes through a HEPA filter located below the work zone.
After HEPA filtration, the air is routed via internal ducting in the rear wall of the cabinet to a common air plenum. From there:
- 35% of the air is exhausted through the ULPA exhaust filter,
- 65% is evenly redistributed through the ULPA supply filter.
This sterilized air forms the laminar downflow, continuously flushing contaminants from the work zone.
The supplied laminar airflow then splits and re-enters the cabinet through the front and rear perforations of the work zone, returning to the common plenum below. This closed-loop cycle is continuously repeated during operation.
What Is the Difference Between a Cytotoxic Cabinet and a Class II A2 Biosafety Cabinet?
A cytotoxic cabinet differs from a standard Class II A2 biosafety cabinet by the presence of a third, large HEPA filter located beneath the work tray.
Due to the cabinet’s airflow design, incoming air is first directed through this additional HEPA filter, where cytotoxic drug residues are captured. This filter is specially designed to be bag-in/bag-out, allowing it to be safely enclosed and removed while the cabinet remains operational.
This design provides effective protection for service technicians during filter replacement and ensures safer handling and disposal of cytotoxic-contaminated filters.
Cytoculture® Cytotoxic Safety Cabinet
The Esco Cytoculture® Cytotoxic Safety Cabinet is a premium solution for the handling and preparation of cytotoxic and antineoplastic drugs. It provides the highest level of protection for patients, pharmacists, and the environment.
Built on more than 20 years of Esco expertise as a global leader in biological safety containment, this cabinet is specifically engineered to meet the stringent requirements of chemotherapy drug preparation.
Handling cytotoxic drugs presents unique risks. To address these challenges, Esco has developed a highly specialized cabinet dedicated to the safe preparation of these potentially hazardous substances.
Key Benefits:
- Safe filter replacement
- Dual exhaust filtration for enhanced safety
- HEPA filtration certified to EN 12469
As the exclusive distributor of Esco in the Benelux, Analis provides full local support, including:
- installation and validation
- preventive maintenance
- corrective maintenance
Our products
Esco’s Cytoculture® Cytotoxic Safety Cabinet is the premium solution for cytotoxic/antineoplastic drug processing; providing the highest level of patient, pharmacist, and environmental protection. This revolutionary product builds on Esco’s experience of more than 20 years as a global leader in biological safety containment technology.
The unique demands of handling and preparing cytotoxic drugs for use in chemotherapy require a specialized cabinet. With this in mind, Esco has developed a highly specialized cabinet designed especially for the preparation of these potentially dangerous drugs.
Key Benefits:
Safe filter changing
Safer dual exhaust filters
HEPA certified to EN 12469
Esco’s Cytoculture® Cytotoxic Safety Cabinet is the premium solution for cytotoxic/antineoplastic drug processing; providing the highest level of patient, pharmacist, and environmental protection. This revolutionary product builds on Esco’s experience of more than 20 years as a global leader in biological safety containment technology.
The unique demands of handling and preparing cytotoxic drugs for use in chemotherapy require a specialized cabinet. With this in mind, Esco has developed a highly specialized cabinet designed especially for the preparation of these potentially dangerous drugs.
Key Benefits:
Safe filter changing
Safer dual exhaust filters
HEPA certified to EN 12469
