Novel agents for the treatment of lymphomas during pregnancy: A comprehensive literature review

Blood Rev. 2021 Sep:49:100831. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2021.100831. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Abstract

Lymphoproliferative diseases occurring during pregnancy present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges aiming to achieve maternal cure without impairing fetal health, growth, and survival. These goals are further complicated by the fast-paced emergence of novel therapies and their introduction as standard of care, even in newly diagnosed patients. Due to the rarity of hematological malignancies in pregnancy and the exclusion of pregnancy in almost all clinical trials, available data on the fetal effects of novel drugs are limited to animal models and case reports. The current review addresses the entire multidisciplinary team involved in treating pregnant patients with lymphoproliferative diseases. We describe novel agents according to their mechanism of action, and summarize our knowledge of their effects during the gestational period, particularly those associated with fetotoxicity. Therapeutic dilemmas associated with the employment of these new agents are also discussed.

Keywords: Hodgkin's lymphoma; Lymphoma; Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Novel agents; Pregnancy; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / drug therapy*
  • Prenatal Injuries / chemically induced
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors