Effect of Tamoxifen on Fasting Serum Lipid Profile in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background:Tamoxifen acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator by binding to the estrogenreceptors on mammary epithelium andblockingtheproliferative action of estrogen on mammaryepithelium. In contrast to that it has a weak estrogen agonistic effect on bone, liver and endometrium.Tamoxifen therapy has favorable effects on serum lipid profile by decreasing serum levels of Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL), while its effect on high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG)is still controversial. So this study is to evaluate the effects of tamoxifenTherapy on fasting serum lipid profile in patients with breast cancer. Results: Mean age was 43.56±3.53yrs , most common BMI was 30-34.9. Patient serum TG levels were raised from baseline after 3 months of tamoxifen with p values of (0.000) which was statistically significant while HDL levels were raised but with p value of (0.008 ) which was statistically insignificant. Serum LDL and total cholesterol were reduced from baseline after 3 month with p value of (0.000) and (0.000) respectively. Conclusion: This study concludes that tamoxifen has effects on serum lipid profile by increasing TG levels and lowering TC and LDL levels so this should be in consideration while prescribing tamoxifen to the patients having other risk factors for cardiovascular abnormalities.