[Survey of the current status of capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia]

We encountered cases of capecitabine-induced increase in blood triglyceride (TG) levels, which is relatively rare in routine medical practice. Although capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia (CI-HTG) has been occasionally reported in other countries, such cases have not been reported in Japan. Therefore, the details of this condition remain to be clarified. To obtain evidence that would be useful in routine medical practice, we conducted a retrospective study of patients with CI-HTG. The study included 56 patients, of whom, 14 (25.0%) had TG levels < 150 mg/dL before capecitabine treatment that increased to ≥ 150 mg/dL after treatment. Adverse events were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v4.0, Japanese edition, Japan Clinical Oncology Group version (CTCAE v4.0-JCOG). We found that TG levels were markedly elevated (≥ Grade 3) in 2 patients (3.6%). Thus, CI-HTG also affects Japanese patients, although its frequency is relatively low. Detailed studies including a larger number of facilities should be conducted in future.