Effect of two chemotherapeutic regimens on some biochemical and immunological parameters in breast cancer patients

We studied the effect of three and six cycles of two chemotherapeutic regimens, cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil (CMF) and cylophosphamide/adriamycin/5-fluoroucil (CAF), on some biochemical parameters in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), 5' nucleotidase (5'-NT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activities were within those of a control group of healthy women. Both CMF and CAF regimens caused significant increases in 5'-NT activity; both therefore affected adenosine degradation. The T lymphocyte count and interleuken 2 (IL-2) level were significantly lower after surgery and before chemotherapy, which indicated the immunosuppression associated with malignancy. CMF and CAF repaired this immunosuppression, as indicated by a significant rise in IL-2 level. Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were significant higher except for high density lipoprotein which was significantly lower in the two groups of patients before treatment as compared with control levels. There was a significant decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) level after treatment with CMF, and significant increases in total lipid and B-lipoprotein after CAF treatment. These results provide positive evidence that methotrexate has anti-atherogenic properties, with potency to decrease the raised LDL level which is associated with a heightened risk of coronary heart disease. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was more reliable than CA 15-3 as a tumour marker in the diagnosis of early breast cancer while CA15-3 was more reliable in the diagnosis of advanced clinical stages. Neither tumour marker was useful for follow-up during chemotherapy. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.