Effect of Chemotherapy on Lipid Parameters in Acute Myeloid Leukemia:  A Prospective Observational Study.

Dr. Yadav Neeraj; Dr. Islam   khan; Dr. Aditi   Singh; Sarita   Choudhary

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2268

Authors

Dr. Neeraj Yadav Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College alwar rajasthan, India
Dr. Islam Khan Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Alwar, Rajasthan, India
Dr. Aditi Singh Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, North DMC Medical College and HRH, Delhi, India
Dr . Sarita Choudhary Associate consultant Department-Biochemistry Medical College-Medanta -The medicity , Gurugram

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2268

Keywords:

Acute myeloid leukemia, chemotherapy, lipid profile, triglycerides, cholesterol, hypocholesterolemia, prospective study

Abstract

Background:
Altered lipid metabolism has been increasingly linked to cancer pathophysiology, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chemotherapy may influence lipid homeostasis, yet data from Indian populations remain limited. This research sought to assess the impact of induction chemotherapy on serum lipid parameters in AML patients.

Methodology:
In cooperation with the Department of Medicine (Clinical Hematology Unit), the Department of Biochemistry carried out a prospective observational study at PGIMS, Rohtak, from September 2017 to September 2019. Forty participants were enrolled—20 newly diagnosed AML cases and 20 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Lipid parameters, including TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, and TC, were measured before and after induction chemotherapy in cases and once in controls. ANOVA and the Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results:
Before chemotherapy, AML patients showed significantly lower TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels, and higher TG and VLDL-C levels compared to controls (p < 0.01). Following chemotherapy, TC and HDL-C levels increased, while TG and VLDL-C decreased significantly (p < 0.01), indicating partial normalization of lipid parameters. LDL-C changes were not statistically significant between pre- and post-chemotherapy values.

Conclusion:
Hypocholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridemia are common in AML patients before chemotherapy, possibly due to increased lipid utilization by leukemic cells. Chemotherapy tends to restore lipid parameters toward normal levels, reflecting metabolic recovery and disease control.

Recommendation:
Routine lipid profiling should be incorporated in AML management to monitor treatment-related metabolic alterations. To confirm the prognostic significance of cholesterol parameters and investigate the therapeutic applications of lipid-modulating medications like statins, larger multicentric studies are advised.

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