Anthracyclines in the treatment of malignancy in pregnancy

Abstract

This article reports two cases and reviews the literature regarding chemotherapy using anthracyclines during pregnancy. Twenty‐six additional cases using this class of agents to treat malignancy during pregnancy are summarized from 18 reports for a total of 28 pregnancies. Final outcome of pregnancy is analyzed with regard to the following factors: diagnosis, gestational age at start of therapy, total dose of anthracycline, number and type of agents used, neonatal pathologic findings and months of follow‐up of infants. Final outcome of 28 pregnancies resulted in 24 normal infants including a set of twins in the current report. Limited pharmacokinetic information is inconclusive with regard to the appearance of anthracyclines and their known metabolites in placental or fetal tissue. Copyright © 1988 American Cancer Society