Therapy
Tamoxifen significantly lowers Lp(a), a meta-analysis of 5 studies and 215 participants (Drugs 2017)
Original title: The Effects of Tamoxifen on Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis searched literature through 22 March 2016 to assess tamoxifen effect on plasma Lp(a). Pooling 5 studies with 215 participants, tamoxifen treatment was associated with a statistically significant reduction in Lp(a) (standardised mean difference -0.41, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.14, P=0.003), an effect robust in sensitivity analysis. The findings show tamoxifen, already known to lower LDL cholesterol and raise triglycerides, also significantly reduces Lp(a), though the authors call for further well-designed trials to confirm the result.
Original abstract
Introduction: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator widely used in the treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen therapy is associated with lower circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased triglycerides, but its effects on other lipids are less well studied.
Aims: We aimed to investigate the effect of tamoxifen on circulating concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] through a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.
Methods: This study was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42016036890). Scopus, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from inception until 22 March 2016 to identify studies investigating the effect of tamoxifen on Lp(a) values in humans. Meta-analysis was performed using an inverse variance-weighted, random-effects model with standardized mean difference (SMD) as the effect size estimate.
Results: Meta-analysis of five studies with 215 participants suggested a statistically significant reduction of Lp(a) levels following tamoxifen treatment (SMD -0.41, 95% confidence interval -0.68 to -0.14, p = 0.003). This effect was robust in the sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions: Meta-analysis suggested a statistically significant reduction of Lp(a) levels following tamoxifen treatment. Further well-designed trials are required to validate these results.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.