Everolimus-Induced Hyperglycemia and its Clinical Significance: A Retrospective Study

Background

Hyperglycemia frequently occurs during clinical administration of Everolimus (EVL). We investigated hyperglycemia occurrence after EVL administration in 52 Japanese patients with breast cancer, the treatment course for hyperglycemia, and its effects on treating the underlying disease.

Materials and Methods

Patient background, treatment course, and laboratory data were retrospectively reviewed using electronic medical records. EVL drug-induced hyperglycemia occurred in 28 of the 52 patients.

Results

When comparing the hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups, BMI was identified as a contributing factor. Only one of the 28 patients who developed hyperglycemia was prescribed a hypoglycemic and recovered to baseline. The other 27 patients were not prescribed hypoglycemic medications and completed EVL treatment without worsening hyperglycemia. The time to treatment failure was 231.0 and 168.0 days in the hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups, respectively, with no significant difference (p=0.601) No patient discontinued treatment owing to hyperglycemia.

Conclusion

Patients with high BMI at the start of EVL treatment require close monitoring for hyperglycemia. EVL-induced hyperglycemia occurs frequently; however, the drug generally allows for treatment completion with appropriate follow-up. Careful management and countermeasures are important when administering this drug, considering that it may cause severe hyperglycemia in rare cases.