Estrone and Estradiol Levels in Breast Cancer Patients Using Anastrozole Are Not Related to Body Mass Index

Abstract

Objective Obesity is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that aromatase inhibitors may be less effective in women with a high body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the BMI and plasma estrone and estradiol levels in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer using anastrozole.

Methods In this cohort study, the patients were divided into three groups according to BMI (normal weight, overweight and obese) to compare and correlate plasma hormone levels before starting anastrozole hormone therapy and three months after treatment. Plasma hormone levels were compared for age and use of chemotherapy.

Results A statistically significant reduction in estrone and estradiol levels was observed between baseline and three months after starting the anastrozole treatment (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in plasma estrone and estradiol levels among the BMI groups (p > 0.05), but a significant reduction in plasma estrone levels was observed after three-months' treatment relative to baseline in all groups, as well as a reduction in estradiol in the obese group (p < 0.05). The use of chemotherapy and age > 65 years had no influence on plasma steroid levels.

Conclusion Changes in estrone and estradiol levels in the studied groups were not associated with BMI, chemotherapy or age.

Resumo

Objetivo A obesidade está associada com risco aumentado de câncer de mama. Estudos recentes têm mostrado que os inibidores de aromatase podem ser menos eficazes em mulheres com alto índice de massa corporal (IMC). O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer a relação entre o IMC e os níveis plasmáticos de estrona e estradiol em mulheres no período pós-menopausa com câncer de mama receptor hormonal positivo, em tratamento com anastrozol.

Métodos Este estudo de coorte acompanhou três grupos de pacientes de acordo com o seu IMC (peso normal, sobrepeso e obesidade), a fim de comparar e correlacionar as dosagens dos hormônios estrona e estradiol antes e após três meses do uso do anastrozol. Os níveis plasmáticos dos hormônios foram também relacionados à idade do paciente e ao uso da quimioterapia.

Resultados Redução estatisticamente significativa de estrona e estradiol foi observada entre os níveis basais e três meses após o início do tratamento com anastrozol (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os níveis plasmáticos de estrona e estradiol em relação ao IMC (p > 0,05), mas houve redução significativa entre os níveis plasmáticos basais de estrona após o tratamento em todos os grupos, e redução de estradiol no grupo de pacientes obesas (p < 0,05). A condução da quimioterapia e da idade acima de 65 anos não interfere com os níveis plasmáticos de esteroides.

Conclusão Os níveis plasmáticos de estrona e estradiol nos grupos estudados não foram alterados em termos de IMC, quimioterapia e idade.

Keywords

breast neoplasms - estrone - estradiol - body mass index - anastrozole

Palavras-chave

neoplasias de mama - estrona - estradiol - índice de massa corporal - anastrozol

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