BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors may affect lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and antioxidant balance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-six post-menopausal patients with breast carcinoma underwent evaluation of parameters of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and antioxidant balance immediately before as well as 2 and 4 months after the start of therapy with aromatase inhibitors. RESULTS: A significant increase in total, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), retinol, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen was observed. The changes of serum lipid concentrations were restricted mostly to the patients pre-treated with tamoxifen who had significantly lower baseline levels of these parameters. CONCLUSION: An increase of serum cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors is the result of tamoxifen withdrawal rather than a direct effect of therapy. No significant changes in serum lipids were observed in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors in the first-line setting.

Department of Oncology Palacký University Medical School and Teaching Hospital 1 P Pavlova 6 77520 Olomouc Czech Republic

Intima-media thickness, myocardial perfusion and laboratory risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with breast cancer treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy