PLASMA-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEIN ALTERATIONS IN TAMOXIFEN-TREATED BREAST-CANCER WOMEN IN RELATION TO THE MENOPAUSAL STATUS

Plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles were monitored in 72 postmenopa usal and 29 premenopausal breast cancer women who were treated with ta moxifen (20 mg twice a day) for 6 months. The levels of total and free cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were markedly (P < 0.001 for each) de creased in 3 and 6 month tamoxifen-treated postmenopausal women than t he baseline values of untreated breast cancer patients. On the contrar y, plasma ester cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and HDL cholesterol l evels were increased significantly in these patients. In the case of p remenopausal women the lipid Lowering potential of tamoxifen was marke dly retarded. These results indicated that tamoxifen - treatment was m ore beneficial and estrogenic in postmenopausal women's lipids. In pre menopausal breast cancer women, tamoxifen was antiestrogenic and less beneficial. Hence, the difference in plasma lipids and lipoprotein con tent was no greater among those receiving tamoxifen and baseline value s of premeno - pausal women, These results indicate that tamoxifen-tre atment has a more beneficial effect in postmenopausal women, with a li kely reduction in cardiovascular disease, than in premenopausal subjec ts.