Successful pregnancies in patients with BCR-ABL-positive leukemias treated with interferon-alpha therapy during the tyrosine kinase inhibitors era.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Management of pregnant patients with BCR-ABL-positive leukemia is challenging. Managing a patient who has been diagnosed while pregnant requires a different approach as compared to a patient who plans to become pregnant while on the treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Interferon (IFN)-alpha is a useful option in both situations due to teratogenic potential of TKIs. METHODS: We presented a series of 12 successful pregnancies in 11 women with BCR-ABL-positive leukemia, whose leukemia was managed with IFN-alpha throughout their pregnancy. RESULTS: All children have normal growth and development. All patients remained at least in hematological response and could start or resume TKI after delivery or breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Because of the increased risk of teratogenicity and spontaneous abortion in female patient with pregnancy, when receiving TKI, IFN-alpha can be considered a safe drug to be administered throughout pregnancy and could represent the drug of choice in this situation during the era of TKI therapy.