Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Tamoxifen (TAM), a selective Oestrogen Receptor (ER) modulator, is widely used for treating and preventing ER-positive Breast Cancer (BC). TAM, administered as an adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive BC, reduces recurrence but can cause ocular toxicity, including retinal dege...

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Main Authors: Tejaswi Vadde, Neha Narayan, Amulya Varshini Banka, Shravani Divity, Yethindra Vityala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21180/78056_CE[Ra1]_F(SL)_QC(OM)_PF1(Rf_SS)_redo_PFA(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Tejaswi Vadde
Neha Narayan
Amulya Varshini Banka
Shravani Divity
Yethindra Vityala
author_facet Tejaswi Vadde
Neha Narayan
Amulya Varshini Banka
Shravani Divity
Yethindra Vityala
author_sort Tejaswi Vadde
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Tamoxifen (TAM), a selective Oestrogen Receptor (ER) modulator, is widely used for treating and preventing ER-positive Breast Cancer (BC). TAM, administered as an adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive BC, reduces recurrence but can cause ocular toxicity, including retinal degeneration, macular oedema, and corneal changes. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear. Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the ocular toxicity induced by TAM in patients with BC and to assess the reported adverse events. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted which included a comprehensive search of electronic databases and grey literature sources to identify relevant studies published between May 2018 and May 2024. Observational studies (case-control and cross-sectional) published in the English language that detailed the ocular Adverse Effects (AE) of TAM in patients with BC were considered for inclusion. Three reviewers screened the selected studies based on the title and abstract. Disagreements were resolved by discussion with another reviewer. Data extraction included study characteristics, patient demographics, intervention details, and ocular changes. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The analysis revealed that TAM-induced ocular toxicity results in diverse structural and functional changes within eye tissues, including retinal degeneration, macular thinning, alterations in choroidal thickness, and vascular modifications. The severity of ocular toxicity correlated with cumulative TAM exposure, highlighting the need for long-term eye monitoring in patients receiving extended therapy. Conclusion: This systematic review indicated a possible link between TAM use and ocular toxicity, although the evidence is limited by methodological constraints. These results highlight the necessity of eye monitoring for patients undergoing TAM treatment, especially for those receiving long-term regimens.
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spelling doaj-art-82d361c9b3d248e19f0ebfe07ab043b42025-08-20T02:42:21ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-07-01197XC01XC0510.7860/JCDR/2025/78056.21180Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic ReviewTejaswi Vadde0Neha Narayan1Amulya Varshini Banka2Shravani Divity3Yethindra Vityala4Doctor, Department of General Medicine, SVS Medical College, Mahabubnagar, Telangana, India.Doctor, Department of General Medicine, SVS Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.Doctor, Department of Internal Medicine, Sri Laxmi Multi Speciality Hospital, Laproscopic and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.Doctor, Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Mahabubnagar, Telangana, India.Doctor, Honorary International Faculty, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangaluru, Telangana, India.Introduction: Tamoxifen (TAM), a selective Oestrogen Receptor (ER) modulator, is widely used for treating and preventing ER-positive Breast Cancer (BC). TAM, administered as an adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive BC, reduces recurrence but can cause ocular toxicity, including retinal degeneration, macular oedema, and corneal changes. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear. Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the ocular toxicity induced by TAM in patients with BC and to assess the reported adverse events. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted which included a comprehensive search of electronic databases and grey literature sources to identify relevant studies published between May 2018 and May 2024. Observational studies (case-control and cross-sectional) published in the English language that detailed the ocular Adverse Effects (AE) of TAM in patients with BC were considered for inclusion. Three reviewers screened the selected studies based on the title and abstract. Disagreements were resolved by discussion with another reviewer. Data extraction included study characteristics, patient demographics, intervention details, and ocular changes. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The analysis revealed that TAM-induced ocular toxicity results in diverse structural and functional changes within eye tissues, including retinal degeneration, macular thinning, alterations in choroidal thickness, and vascular modifications. The severity of ocular toxicity correlated with cumulative TAM exposure, highlighting the need for long-term eye monitoring in patients receiving extended therapy. Conclusion: This systematic review indicated a possible link between TAM use and ocular toxicity, although the evidence is limited by methodological constraints. These results highlight the necessity of eye monitoring for patients undergoing TAM treatment, especially for those receiving long-term regimens.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21180/78056_CE[Ra1]_F(SL)_QC(OM)_PF1(Rf_SS)_redo_PFA(IS)_PN(IS).pdfbreast neoplasmsocular changesoestrogen receptor modulatorsretinal diseases
spellingShingle Tejaswi Vadde
Neha Narayan
Amulya Varshini Banka
Shravani Divity
Yethindra Vityala
Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
breast neoplasms
ocular changes
oestrogen receptor modulators
retinal diseases
title Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_full Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_short Ocular Toxicity Associated with Tamoxifen Administration in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_sort ocular toxicity associated with tamoxifen administration in patients with breast cancer a systematic review
topic breast neoplasms
ocular changes
oestrogen receptor modulators
retinal diseases
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/21180/78056_CE[Ra1]_F(SL)_QC(OM)_PF1(Rf_SS)_redo_PFA(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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