title: Impairment of liver synthetic function and the production of plasma proteins in primary breast cancer patients on doxorubicincyclophosphamide (AC) protocol.
abstract: Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC protocol) combination is usually considered as a first line therapy in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Thus, a retrospective observational study was conducted to monitor the effect of AC protocol on liver synthetic functions and production of plasma proteins in breast cancer patients, reporting to specialized cancer care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 75 patients (n=75) on AC protocol with breast cancer were observed in this study. The patient data including age, gender, body surface area, dosage, disease status and laboratory biochemical values were recorded by reviewing historical treatment records. Pre-treatment values were taken as baseline values for albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and total proteins. The baseline values were compared after each cycle of by applying ANOVA using statistical tool SPSS® version 21. The plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein and globulin dropped significantly (p<0.05) in patients of all age groups. However, the albumin levels were not significantly changed (p>0.05). The A/G ratio level increased (p<0.05) as a result of reduction in globulin levels. Significant changes in plasma protein levels were observed in the elderly patients (50 to 65 years) than patients between 20 to 50 years of age. AC protocol impairs liver synthetic functions as observed by decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma protein levels.
authors.affiliation: University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zikria
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.affiliation: University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mobasher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Furqan Khurshid
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.affiliation: University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Tahir
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Aziz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005916:Globulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C422455:ALB protein, human; D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005916:Globulins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human