GINOP - STAY ALIVE(GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00048) Támogató: Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési
és Innovációs Hivatal
(EFOP-3.6.2–16-2017–00006)
Background: Women are typically diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
around the postmenopausal period when declining estrogen levels initiate changes in
lipid profiles. Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are used to prevent the progression of cancer;
however, a further reduction in estrogen levels may have detrimental effects on lipid
levels, which was our working hypothesis. Methods: Our meta-analysis was conducted
on the lipid profiles of postmenopausal breast cancer patients at baseline and at
different treatment time points. Results: We identified 15 studies, including 1708
patients. Studies using anastrozole (ANA), exemestane (EXE), letrozole (LET), and
tamoxifen (TMX) were involved. Subgroup analyses revealed that 3- and 12-month administrations
of LET and EXE lead to negative changes in lipid profiles that tend to alter the lipid
profile undesirably, unlike ANA and TMX. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, despite
statistically significant results, EXE and LET may not be sufficient to cause severe
dyslipidemia in patients without cardiovascular comorbidities according to the AHA/ACC
Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. However, the results may raise the
question of monitoring the effects of AIs in patients, especially those with pre-existing
cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia.
