What is the maximum plasma level of tamoxifen that can be achieved in breast cancer patients?

Tamoxifen is a highly effective endocrine treatment for breast cancer in the adjuvant and metastatic settings. Data from several large randomized clinical trials indicate that tamoxifen is also valuable in the prevention of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. However, not all women benefit from tamoxifen, and the side effect profiles vary considerably from patient to patient.

Tamoxifen treatment promotes significant changes both in the plasma concentration of an important marker associated with an increased risk of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) and in functional parameters of cardiac performance in women with breast cancer who have previously undergone chemotherapy. Previous studies had also confirmed the cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy.

Chronic use of tamoxifen significantly reduces the plasma concentrations of CVD biomarkers (CRP, Apo B, and the Apo-B/Apo-A ratio) in women with breast cancer who underwent chemotherapy. Several study suggests the need for a careful cardiovascular evaluation and the medical monitoring of women with breast cancer to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer treatment complications.