Alterations in erythrocyte membrane structure of breast cancer patients treated with CMF--a lipid profile.

Most of the breast cancer patients are treated with CMF which is a combination of three anticancer agents namely cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. The metabolites of CMF induce the level of lipid peroxides in the system, which are circulated in the blood. The present study reports the effect of CMF on the levels of cholesterol and phospholipids in erythrocytes of breast cancer patients showing a significant increase in the level of phospholipids. As the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio increases, the fluidity of the membrane decreases, thereby altering the architecture of the erythrocyte membrane in the breast cancer patients treated with CMF.