Research Article
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Sistemik aromataz inhibitörü tedavisinin gözyaşı filmi, meibomian bezleri ve kornea endoteline etkisi

Year 2026, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 61 - 65, 06.01.2026

Abstract

Amaç
Aromataz inhibitörleri (AI'lar), hormon reseptörü pozitif meme kanseri olan postmenopozal kadınlarda adjuvan endokrin tedavide yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, noninvaziv oküler yüzey tanıları ve ön segment görüntülemeyi bir arada kullanarak, AI alan hastaları yaşları eşleşen sağlıklı kontrol grubuyla karşılaştırarak, sistemik AI tedavisinin gözyaşı filmi stabilitesi, meibomian bez yapısı ve kornea endotel hücre özellikleri üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmaktır.
Metod
Bu kesitsel çalışma, toplam 60 postmenopozal kadın katılımcıyı içermekte olup, iki gruba ayrılmıştır: hormon reseptörü pozitif meme kanseri için sistemik aromataz inhibitörü tedavisi alan 29 hasta (AI Grubu) ve yaşları eşleştirilmiş 31 sağlıklı kontrol (Kontrol Grubu). Tüm katılımcılar tam bir oftalmolojik muayene, yarık lamba biyomikroskopi ve dilate fundus muayenesinden geçirildi. Oküler yüzey hastalığına bağlı semptom ve bulgular kaydedildi. Ayrıca, kornea endotel parametreleri de değerlendirildi.
Bulgular
Çalışmaya toplam 60 postmenopozal kadın katıldı. Gruplar arasında yaş açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark yoktu (p=0,741). Ortalama Oküler Yüzey Hastalığı İndeksi (OSDI) skoru AI grubunda 23,1 ± 11,5 (aralık: 10–46) ve kontrol grubunda 16,2 ± 6,8 (aralık: 10–34) idi ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark gözlendi (p=0,005). Diğer oküler yüzey parametrelerini değerlendiren testlerde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Speküler mikroskopi analizi, ortalama varyasyon katsayısı (CV) değerlerinin AI grubunda (42,9 ± 6,6) kontrol grubuna (33,7 ± 3,4; p<0,001) kıyasla anlamlı olarak daha yüksek olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ek olarak, altıgen hücre oranı (HEX, %) AI grubunda (42,7 ± 4,9) kontrol grubuna (46,1 ± 5,0; p=0,014) göre anlamlı olarak daha düşüktü.
Sonuç
Sonuç olarak, bulgularımız sistemik AI tedavisinin, meme kanseri olan postmenopozal kadınlarda subjektif kuru göz semptomlarının artması ve kornea endotel morfolojisinde ince değişikliklerle ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir.

References

  • Johnston SR, Dowsett M. Aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer: lessons from the laboratory. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003;3(11):821-831. doi:10.1038/nrc 1211
  • Tomao F, Spinelli G, Vici P, et al. Current role and safety profile of aromatase inhibitors in early breast cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2011;11(8):1253-1263. doi:10.1586/era.11.96
  • Wickham LA, Gao J, Toda I, Rocha EM, Ono M, Sullivan DA. Identification of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs in the eye. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2000;78(2):146-153. doi:10.1034/j. 1600-0420.2000.078002146.x
  • Nuzzi R, Caselgrandi P. Sex hormones and their effects on ocular disorders and pathophysiology: current aspects and our experience. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(6):3269. doi:10.3390/ijms23063269
  • Rahimi Darabad R, Suzuki T, Richards SM, et al. Does estrogen deficiency cause lacrimal gland inflammation and aqueous-deficient dry eye in mice? Exp Eye Res. 2014;127:153-160. doi:10.1016/j.exer.2014.07. 017
  • Gorimanipalli B, Khamar P, Sethu S, Shetty R. Hormones and dry eye disease. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023;71(4):1276-1284. doi:10.4103/IJO.IJO_2887_22
  • Ağın A, Kocabeyoglu S, Yucel Gencoglu A, Aksoy S, Karakaya J, Irkec M. The effects of systemic aromatase inhibitors on meibomian glands and corneal structure. Eye (Lond). 2022;36(6):1185-1193. doi:10.1038/s41 433-021-01612-z
  • Serban D, Costea DO, Zgura A, et al. Ocular side effects of aromatase inhibitor endocrine therapy in breast cancer-a review. In Vivo. 2022;36 (1):40-48. doi:10.21873/invivo.12674
  • Inglis H, Boyle FM, Friedlander ML, Watson SL. Dry eyes and AIs: if you don't ask you won't find out. Breast. 2015;24(6):694-698. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2015.08.008
  • Wang Li-X, Deng Ying P. Androgen and meibomian gland dysfunction: from basic molecular biology to clinical applications. Int J Ophthalmol. 2021;14:915-922. doi:10.18240/ijo.2021.06.18
  • Sullivan DA, Sullivan BD, Evans JE, et al. Androgen deficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, and evaporative dry eye. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002:966:211-222. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04217.x
  • Suzuki T, Minami Y, Komuro A, et al. Meibomian gland physiology in pre- and postmenopausal women. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(2): 763-771. doi:10.1167/iovs.16-20811
  • McKay TB, Priyardarsini S, Karamichos D. Sex hormones, growth hormone, and the cornea. Cells. 2022;11(2):224. doi:10.3390/cells11020 224
  • Turaka K, Nottage JM, Hammersmith KM, Nagra PK, Rapuano CJ. Dry eye syndrome in aromatase inhibitor users. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2013; 41:239-243. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9071.2012.02865.x
  • Cuzick J, Sestak I, Forbes JF, et al. Anastrozole for prevention of breast cancer in high-risk postmenopausal women (IBIS-II): an international, double blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2014;383: 1041-1048. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736 (13)62292-8
  • Chatziralli I, Sergentanis T, Zagouri F, et al. Ocular surface disease in breast cancer patients using aromatase inhibitors. Breast J. 2016;22:561-564. doi:10.1111/tbj.12633
  • Gibson E, Stapleton F, Dear R, Wolffsohn JS, Golebiowski B. Dry eye signs and symptoms in aromatase inhibitor treatment and the relationship with pain. Ocul Surf. 2020;18:108–1013. doi:10.1016/j.jtos. 2019.10.008
  • Tekin K, Sekeroglu MA, Kiziltoprak H, Yilmazbas P. Corneal densitometry in healthy corneas and its correlation with endothelial morphometry. Cornea. 2017;36(11):1336-1342. doi:10.1097/ICO.000000 0000001363
  • Chaurasia S, Vanathi M. Specular microscopy in clinical practice. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(3):517–524. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_574_20
  • Gupta PK, Berdahl JP, Chan CC, et al. The corneal endothelium: clinical review of endothelial cell health and function. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2021;47(9):1218-1226. doi:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000650
  • De Piano M, Abicca I, Dinu V, et al. Expression of hormones' receptors in human corneal endothelium from fuchs' dystrophy: a possible gender' association. J Clin Med. 2024;13(13):3787. doi:10.3390/jcm1313 3787
  • Han S, Mueller C, Wuebbolt C, et al. Selective effects of estradiol on human corneal endothelial cells. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):15279. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42290-z
  • Suzuki T, Kinosha Y, Tachibana M, et al. Expression of sex steroid hormone receptors in human cornea. Curr. Eye Res. 2001;22(1):28-33. doi:10.1076/ceyr.22.1.28.6980
  • Machairoudia G, Kazantzis D, Chatziralli I, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer. Clin Exp Optom. 2024;107(4):415-419. doi:10.1080/08164622.2023.2239247

The impact of systemic aromatase inhibitor therapy on the tear film, meibomian glands, and corneal endothelium

Year 2026, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 61 - 65, 06.01.2026

Abstract

Aims: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are commonly used as adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of systemic AI treatment on tear film stability, meibomian gland structure, and corneal endothelial cell characteristics by comparing patients receiving AIs with age-matched healthy controls, using a combination of noninvasive ocular surface diagnostics and anterior segment imaging.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 60 postmenopausal female participants, divided into two groups: 29 patients receiving systemic aromatase inhibitor therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (AI group), and 31 agematched healthy controls (control group). All participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and dilated fundus examination. Ocular surface disease-related symptoms and signs were recorded. In addition, corneal endothelial parameters were also evaluated.
Results: A total of 60 postmenopausal women were enrolled in the study. There was no statistically significant difference in age between the groups (p=0.741). The mean Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score was 23.1±11.5 (range: 10-46) in the AI group and 16.2±6.8 (range: 10-34) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference observed (p=0.005). No statistically significant differences were found in tests evaluating other ocular surface parameters. Specular microscopy analysis revealed that the mean coefficient of variation (CV) values were significantly higher in the AI group (42.9±6.6) compared to the control group (33.7±3.4; p<0.001). Additionally, the hexagonal cell ratio (HEX, %) was significantly lower in the AI group (42.7±4.9) than in the control group (46.1±5.0; p=0.014).
Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that systemic AI therapy is associated with increased subjective dry eye symptoms and subtle changes in corneal endothelial morphology in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

References

  • Johnston SR, Dowsett M. Aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer: lessons from the laboratory. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003;3(11):821-831. doi:10.1038/nrc 1211
  • Tomao F, Spinelli G, Vici P, et al. Current role and safety profile of aromatase inhibitors in early breast cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2011;11(8):1253-1263. doi:10.1586/era.11.96
  • Wickham LA, Gao J, Toda I, Rocha EM, Ono M, Sullivan DA. Identification of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs in the eye. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2000;78(2):146-153. doi:10.1034/j. 1600-0420.2000.078002146.x
  • Nuzzi R, Caselgrandi P. Sex hormones and their effects on ocular disorders and pathophysiology: current aspects and our experience. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(6):3269. doi:10.3390/ijms23063269
  • Rahimi Darabad R, Suzuki T, Richards SM, et al. Does estrogen deficiency cause lacrimal gland inflammation and aqueous-deficient dry eye in mice? Exp Eye Res. 2014;127:153-160. doi:10.1016/j.exer.2014.07. 017
  • Gorimanipalli B, Khamar P, Sethu S, Shetty R. Hormones and dry eye disease. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023;71(4):1276-1284. doi:10.4103/IJO.IJO_2887_22
  • Ağın A, Kocabeyoglu S, Yucel Gencoglu A, Aksoy S, Karakaya J, Irkec M. The effects of systemic aromatase inhibitors on meibomian glands and corneal structure. Eye (Lond). 2022;36(6):1185-1193. doi:10.1038/s41 433-021-01612-z
  • Serban D, Costea DO, Zgura A, et al. Ocular side effects of aromatase inhibitor endocrine therapy in breast cancer-a review. In Vivo. 2022;36 (1):40-48. doi:10.21873/invivo.12674
  • Inglis H, Boyle FM, Friedlander ML, Watson SL. Dry eyes and AIs: if you don't ask you won't find out. Breast. 2015;24(6):694-698. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2015.08.008
  • Wang Li-X, Deng Ying P. Androgen and meibomian gland dysfunction: from basic molecular biology to clinical applications. Int J Ophthalmol. 2021;14:915-922. doi:10.18240/ijo.2021.06.18
  • Sullivan DA, Sullivan BD, Evans JE, et al. Androgen deficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, and evaporative dry eye. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002:966:211-222. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04217.x
  • Suzuki T, Minami Y, Komuro A, et al. Meibomian gland physiology in pre- and postmenopausal women. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(2): 763-771. doi:10.1167/iovs.16-20811
  • McKay TB, Priyardarsini S, Karamichos D. Sex hormones, growth hormone, and the cornea. Cells. 2022;11(2):224. doi:10.3390/cells11020 224
  • Turaka K, Nottage JM, Hammersmith KM, Nagra PK, Rapuano CJ. Dry eye syndrome in aromatase inhibitor users. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2013; 41:239-243. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9071.2012.02865.x
  • Cuzick J, Sestak I, Forbes JF, et al. Anastrozole for prevention of breast cancer in high-risk postmenopausal women (IBIS-II): an international, double blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2014;383: 1041-1048. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736 (13)62292-8
  • Chatziralli I, Sergentanis T, Zagouri F, et al. Ocular surface disease in breast cancer patients using aromatase inhibitors. Breast J. 2016;22:561-564. doi:10.1111/tbj.12633
  • Gibson E, Stapleton F, Dear R, Wolffsohn JS, Golebiowski B. Dry eye signs and symptoms in aromatase inhibitor treatment and the relationship with pain. Ocul Surf. 2020;18:108–1013. doi:10.1016/j.jtos. 2019.10.008
  • Tekin K, Sekeroglu MA, Kiziltoprak H, Yilmazbas P. Corneal densitometry in healthy corneas and its correlation with endothelial morphometry. Cornea. 2017;36(11):1336-1342. doi:10.1097/ICO.000000 0000001363
  • Chaurasia S, Vanathi M. Specular microscopy in clinical practice. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(3):517–524. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_574_20
  • Gupta PK, Berdahl JP, Chan CC, et al. The corneal endothelium: clinical review of endothelial cell health and function. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2021;47(9):1218-1226. doi:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000650
  • De Piano M, Abicca I, Dinu V, et al. Expression of hormones' receptors in human corneal endothelium from fuchs' dystrophy: a possible gender' association. J Clin Med. 2024;13(13):3787. doi:10.3390/jcm1313 3787
  • Han S, Mueller C, Wuebbolt C, et al. Selective effects of estradiol on human corneal endothelial cells. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):15279. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42290-z
  • Suzuki T, Kinosha Y, Tachibana M, et al. Expression of sex steroid hormone receptors in human cornea. Curr. Eye Res. 2001;22(1):28-33. doi:10.1076/ceyr.22.1.28.6980
  • Machairoudia G, Kazantzis D, Chatziralli I, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer. Clin Exp Optom. 2024;107(4):415-419. doi:10.1080/08164622.2023.2239247
There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Ophthalmology
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Erdem Dursun 0000-0002-4320-9336

Selim Yalçın 0000-0003-1970-2849

Oğuzhan Akça 0009-0006-9976-858X

Seval Çobanoğlu Öztürk 0000-0002-6349-7136

Zafer Onaran 0000-0001-8603-601X

Nuray Bayar Muluk 0000-0003-3602-928X

Submission Date November 6, 2025
Acceptance Date December 1, 2025
Publication Date January 6, 2026
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 8 Issue: 1

Cite

AMA Dursun E, Yalçın S, Akça O, Çobanoğlu Öztürk S, Onaran Z, Bayar Muluk N. The impact of systemic aromatase inhibitor therapy on the tear film, meibomian glands, and corneal endothelium. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. January 2026;8(1):61-65. doi:10.38053/acmj.1818870

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