Hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia induced by capecitabine: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Background: Capecitabine is a tumor-activated oral fluoropyrimidine used in breast and colorectal cancer. Hypertriglyceridemia associated with this drug has rarely been reported in the literature.

Methods: Two patients with colorectal carcinoma who developed capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia (including a patient who developed hyperglycemia concurrently) were described, treatment modalities were discussed, and the literatures were reviewed.

Results: The first patient, a 43-year-old man, developed hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia after two cycles of XELOX regimen chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. His triglyceride was 2.47 mmol/L (normal range 0.34-1.7 mmol/L) and total cholesterol was 6.93 mmol/L (normal range 3.12-5.9 mmol/L), while blood glucose was abnormal (fasting blood glucose was 10.58-11.9 mmol/L and 2 h postprandial glucose was 14.5-17.2 mmol/L) and glucose was positive in the urine(3+). The second patient, a 47-year-old woman, developed abnormalities in the lipid profile after the sixth cycle of XELOX regimen chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Her serum triglyceride was 2.41 mmol/L (normal range 0.34-1.7 mmol/L), while the cholesterol level was 7.73 mmol/L (normal range 3.12-5.9 mmol/L). The profile of lipid improved gradually with reduced doses of capecitabine and was well restored after chemotherapy without any lipid-lowering agents. The Naranjo score for capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia was 9 (definite). An analysis of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms was provided.

Conclusion: It is important of physicians and pharmacists to be aware of the possibility of dyslipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia induced by capecitabine.