title: [Effects of anastrozole on lipid metabolism in Chinese postmenopausal women with breast cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anastrozole, a new generation aromatase inhibitor, on the lipid metabolism in postmenopausal Chinese women with early breast cancer, and observe the adverse reactions as well.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postmenopausal women with early breast cancer patients took anastrozole 1 mg per day. The lipid profiles of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein were assessed before taking the drug, 3 months, 6 months after taking medication, and later once a year, until the end of medication or follow-up. Patients taking lipid-lowering drugs were excluded. The adverse reactions during the process of taking medication was followed-up by telephone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and eighty-five postmenopausal breast cancer patients took part in the trial from Jan. 2003 to Jun. 2009. All patients had completed primary surgery and demonstrated a postmenopausal status. ER or PR positivity was confirmed by histopathology. Taking the medication from a minimum of one year to a maximum of 5 years, with a median time of 3.61 years. During the medication time, anastrozole significantly increased the levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol after 6 months of treatment, continuing to 5 years, from (3.08 ± 0.90) mmol/L to (3.59 ± 0.59) mmol/L, with a maximal increase of 18.2% higher than that before medication. Anastrozole significantly increased the levels of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol after 1 years of treatment. Anastrozole significantly reduced the levels of triglycerides after 1 years of treatment. Anastrozole showed no significant effect on serum lipids in the patients with pre-existing hyperlipidemia. A more significant effect on blood lipids was observed in patients aged ≥ 60-years than that in patients less than 60 years of age. The rate of other adverse events were similar to that reported in foreign patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the postmenopausal patients with breast cancer, taking anastrozole may lead to an abnormal lipid metabolism. Anastrozole significantly increases the levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and significantly reduces the level of triglycerides. The rate of other adverse events were similar to that reported in foreign patients. it is suggested that the blood lipid levels should be regularly assessed in patients with long-term anastrozole treatment. The rate of other adverse events similar to that reported with foreign patients, and patients tolerate this treatment well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Han-hong
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bing-he
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Pin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jia-yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rui-gang
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077384:Anastrozole; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D014280:Triglycerides; D000077384:Anastrozole; D002784:Cholesterol