Abemaciclib and liver

Going through breast cancer treatment Targeted therapies
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[Abemaciclib and liver](https://Abemaciclib and liver)
Hi
I have been on Abemaciclib for 18 months along with Prostap and letrozole . I started like most people on 150mg but this was dropped to 100mg due to side effects ( mainly gastric !)
My bloods have always been ok , all my liver readings have been mid to high within the normal range ( except GGT which has always been mildly elevated ) .
Recently they’ve all gone up over normal levels and now my oncologist wants a CT of my liver , I’m in an absolute spin and panic
Has anyone else had any liver or kidney issues on this drug ?
My ALP is 114
GGT is 108
AST 34
ALT 36
Approx
Thank you xx

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Hi, I had my GGT checked at 9 months as my ALT was 44, two months previously to that. My GGT was 55, first time it had been checked, but my ALT on this occasion had returned to normal levels of 22. When I have my next bloods I am due for my GGT rechecked.
Please let me know how you get on. I hope all is well on your scan.

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Hi
Thank you for your reply x
Glad your numbers have reduced , they seems only a little raised which is great
I was hoping more people would have experience of this and I’m so worried
All the best to you x

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Hi,

I haven’t had the same immunotherapy as you but just thought I would reply as I’ve had issues with my liver bloods since I had a year of Phesgo injections (Her 2 positive). Basically my liver bloods would go up, then nearly back to normal then up again.

I was sent for an ultrasound and a CT both of which were clear. They have started pushing for an MRI but I’m resisting as it’s been going on now nearly 18 months and if as my GP says there was anything sinister they would have kept rising and I would have other symptoms by now.

Also I have a history of elevated LFTs and non fatty liver in my family. Do you know if your LFTs were ever elevated before your cancer diagnosis? Maybe ask if you can have an ultrasound of your liver first? It was very straightforward and they told me there and then they couldn’t see any issues. It might reassure you!

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Thank you so much for your reply . I was just thinking back to during chemo and overall my liver bloods were ok and only raised when I was on antibiotics
I have put on a lot of weight through treatment unfortunately , I wondered about fatty liver , I also wondered if could be the effects of letrozole too
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer . I’m so scared xx

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Hi @loobyloop don’t panic! I had problems with my lungs whilst on Abemaciclib. You need to weigh the pros and cons of course but you can always have a break and further reduction of the dose.

For me was preventative only so the last 9 months I was on 50mg. It’s better to reduce the dose then stop it altogether. Even the 50mg works!! You need to discuss with your team of course but my liver tests weren’t that good either but my oncologist was telling me that everything will go back to normal when I’ve stopped it.

I’ve just finished it after two very long years and you’ve got only 6 more months left…just talk with your team about having a short break maybe so that your liver recovers…

Wishing you all the best with your treatment.

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Hi , thank you so much lovely , I appreciate this .
I wanted to take a break but my oncologist says she won’t prescribe any more full stop until I’ve had a CT ! My levels are only fairly mildly raised so I guess that’s why I’m panicking about her decision
Did you have a scan of your lungs ?
I would be happy to go down to 50mg and take it from there but she won’t have it
Well done for completing the two years ! How are you feeling now ?
Xx

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Hi @loobyloop, yes I did have quite a few CT scans and also was on a very high dose of steroids for 6 months because of the inflammation. So yeah, you can ask your consultant about reduction of the dose. We need to be our own advocates as nobody will be…
I am feeling anxious about stopping the Abemaciclib to be honest with you. What’s is keeping the cancer away now?!? I am on Letrozole but that’s just estrogen blocker so yeah…not jumping up and down with happiness if you know what I mean…

Take care. Xx

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Hey
Oh I hear you :100:. It’s tough to get your head around and a bittersweet situation because you want treatment / preventative drugs yet you don’t ! Argh !
Solidarity here :raised_hands:t2: xx

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