Tamoxifen- and Triptorelin-Induced Major Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is used in breast cancer treatment.
• Triptorelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa), is also employed in certain cancer therapies.
• Both medications have potential side effects impacting lipid metabolism.

Observation:

• A breast cancer patient developed severe hypertriglyceridemia (56 g/L), hypercholesterolemia (13 g/L), elevated LDL-C (4 g/L), and low HDL (0.25 g/L) after three months of tamoxifen and triptorelin treatment.
• The patient's oncologist discontinued the medications due to these adverse lipid changes.

Findings:

• Tamoxifen and triptorelin significantly altered the patient's lipid profile, leading to dangerous levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.
• Following treatment cessation and initiation of diet and fenofibrate, triglyceride levels normalized to 2 g/L within one month.

Implications:

• Tamoxifen and triptorelin can profoundly affect lipid metabolism, necessitating careful consideration of their benefit-risk balance.
• Regular monitoring of lipid profiles is essential for patients undergoing treatment with these medications to prevent severe complications like acute pancreatitis.