Acute promyelocytic leukemia during pregnancy: report of 3 cases

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia and Severe Differentiation Syndrome in Pregnancy-A Management Challenge

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is generated by the PML-RARA fusion gene. In patients suffering from APL, the early diagnosis and treatment are essential in the successful management. We reported a case of a 27-year-old 17th-week pregnant patient diagnosed with APL. After an extensive hematological diagnostic panel, the acute promyelocytic leukemia was confirmed, and the patient received all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), idarubicin (IDA), and dexamethasone, following national guidelines. Due to ATRA-related differentiation syndrome, the therapy was adjusted, and hydroxycarbamide was added with a good outcome. The patient was admitted to the ICU secondary to hypoxemic respiratory failure on the 2nd day after hospital admission. Our patient received an individualized drug combination, adjusted by the clinical response. Furthermore, the drugs used in APL treatment are all teratogenic. Despite various major complications, including severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which needed mechanical ventilation; ICU-acquired myopathy; and spontaneous abortion, the patient had a good outcome and was transferred from the ICU after a total stay of 40 days. APL during pregnancy is a rare entity of intermediate-risk APL. Our study emphasized the need for individualized therapy in a rare case of a pregnant woman diagnosed with a potentially fatal hematologic disease.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The management of pregnant women with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a challenging situation where limited evidence-based information is available. We performed a systematic literature review to analyze the outcomes reported for both mother and fetus when APL is diagnosed during pregnancy. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting cases of APL during pregnancy. Sixty-six articles met the eligibility criteria (53 single case reports). Ninety-two patients were eligible for induction therapy, with most them being treated with all-trans retinoic acid alone (32%) or combined with chemotherapy (43%), while the remaining patients received chemotherapy alone. Three patients were treated with arsenic-based regimens after delivery. Overall complete remission rate was 89%, with no statistically significant differences according to the type of induction and gestational age. During the first trimester, women were more likely to experience spontaneous and induced abortion compared to those during the second trimester (88% vs. 30%) (p < 0.0001), while only one patient diagnosed during the third trimester terminated in stillbirth. Twelve of 16 infants with neonatal complications had respiratory distress syndrome. Except two early deaths (Potter's syndrome and pulmonary hemorrhage), all neonates evolved favorably. This study confirms that gestational age does not affect the results in the mother, but is closely related to fetal viability. Our results may be useful for the process of decision making that requires the involvement of the patient, hematologist, obstetrician and neonatologist.

Cancer in Pregnancy

This article reviews some of the more common types of cancer that may be encountered during pregnancy. It reviews the unique challenges with the diagnosis and treatment of breast, cervical, hematologic, and colon cancers in pregnant patients.

Pregnancy associated acute leukemia: Single center experience

INTRODUCTION

Data regarding clinical characteristics, therapy, maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated acute leukemia are limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We herein, present the data of 27 pregnancy associated acute leukemia [18 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 9 acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL)]. Their data were compared to an age matched group of 75 non-pregnant acute leukemia patients admitted and treated during the same period [53 AML and 22 ALL].

RESULTS

Complete remission rates, induction failure and induction deaths showed insignificant differences in pregnant versus non pregnant patients in both types of acute leukemia. Similarly, OS and DFS showed no significant difference between pregnant versus non pregnant patients in both types of acute leukemia. Cox regression analysis was conducted for prediction of OS and DFS in all the studied patients applying age, WBCs, BM blasts, LDH, cytogenetic abnormalities and pregnancy as covariates, Pregnancy was not considered as a risk factor for OS or PFS in univariate or multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our report to the best of our knowledge is the first to present direct evidence that pregnancy has no significant impact on outcome of acute leukemia compared to non-pregnant patients. These results are limited by the small number of cases and should be confirmed in a prospectively larger cohort of patients.

Acute leukemia in pregnancy: a single institution experience with 23 patients

Management of acute leukemia during pregnancy presents a considerable challenge. Herein, we review our experience of 23 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia; during pregnancy at the Mayo Clinic between 1962 and 2016. Ten (43.4%), seven (30.4%), and six (26.2%) patients were diagnosed in first, second, and third trimester, respectively. In approximately, 50% (n = 11) therapeutic terminations or spontaneous abortions occurred. Fifty percent (2/4) of patients diagnosed during either first or second trimester who delayed chemotherapy by greater than one week died during induction therapy. Eleven patients received chemotherapy while pregnant which led to four fetal losses and seven deliveries (five full-term and two preterm deliveries). No congenital malformations were reported. Eighteen patients (78%) achieved complete remission. At a median follow up of 55 months, seven patients (30%) remain alive. In summary, we provide a comprehensive description of maternal and fetal outcomes and insight into management of acute leukemia during pregnancy.

Hematologic malignancies during pregnancy: A review

Malignancy is the second most common cause of mortality in the reproductive period and it complicates up to one out of every 1000 pregnancies. When cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, the management approach must take into consideration both the mother and her fetus. Hematologic cancers diagnosed in pregnancy are not common, resulting in paucity of randomized controlled trials. Diagnosis of such malignancies may be missed or delayed, as their symptoms are similar to those encountered during normal pregnancy. Also, many imaging studies may be hazardous during pregnancy. Management of these malignancies during pregnancy induces many treatment-related risks for mother and baby and should consider patient's preferences for pregnancy continuation. In this article, hematologic malignancies diagnosed in pregnant patients including acute leukemias, chronic myeloid leukemia, lymphomas, multiple myeloma and myeloproliferative neoplasms, will be reviewed, including diagnostic and management strategies and their impact on the pregnant patient and the developing fetus.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia during pregnancy: a systematic analysis of outcome

The outcomes of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in pregnancy are largely unknown. The MEDLINE database was systematically searched to obtain 43 articles with 71 patients with new-onset APL during pregnancy. Induction therapy included various regimens of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), cytarabine, and anthracycline and resulted in a complete remission rate of 93%. Obstetric and fetal complications included pre-term deliveries (46%), spontaneous/therapeutic abortion/intrauterine death (33.3%) and other neonatal complications (25.9%). Mothers diagnosed in the first trimester were more likely to experience obstetric (p < 0.01) and fetal (p < 0.01) complications. To our knowledge, this is the largest systematic review of APL in pregnancy. The vast majority of APL patients in pregnancy may achieve remission with initial induction therapy. APL or its therapy in pregnancy, however, is associated with a high risk of fetal and obstetrical complications. The results of our study may help in patient counseling and informed decision-making.

A Complicated Case of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy Successfully Treated with All-trans-Retinoic Acid

A 40-year-old female at 26-week gestation was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) after an abnormal prenatal lab workup showed pancytopenia. She was treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), idarubicin, and dexamethasone. After day one of treatment, she developed differentiation syndrome, which was treated with dexamethasone. At 30-week gestation, she had preterm premature rupture of membranes and delivered by cesarean section because of the fetus' breech presentation. Despite ATRA's potential for teratogenicity, a viable infant was born without apparent anomalies. Postpartum, she underwent consolidation treatment with ATRA and arsenic trioxide (ATO). The patient continued ATRA therapy after delivery and is currently in remission.

How I treat leukemia during pregnancy

Leukemia in pregnancy remains a challenging therapeutic prospect. The prevalence is low at ∼1 in 10 000 pregnancies, and as a result data are limited to small retrospective series and case reports, rendering evidence-based recommendations for management strategies difficult. The management of the leukemias in pregnancy requires close collaboration with obstetric and neonatology colleagues as both the maternal and fetal outcomes must be taken into consideration. The decision to introduce or delay chemotherapy must be balanced against the impact on maternal and fetal survival and morbidity. Invariably, acute leukemia diagnosed in the first trimester necessitates intensive chemotherapy that is likely to induce fetal malformations. As delaying treatment in this situation is usually inappropriate, counseling with regard to termination of pregnancy is often essential. For chronic disease and acute leukemia diagnosed after the second trimester, therapeutic termination of the pregnancy is not inevitable and often, standard management approaches similar to those in nongravid patients can be used. Here, the management of the acute and chronic leukemias will be addressed.

Obstetrical, fetal and postnatal effects of gestational antiblastic chemotherapy: how to counsel cancer patients

At least one in a thousand pregnancies is complicated by cancer and, as the maternal age at pregnancy increases, numbers are growing. If chemotherapy cannot be postponed, both doctors and patients face complex medical and ethical issues. There is a conflict between optimal maternal therapy and fetal wellbeing. Treatment during the first trimester increases the risk of congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions and fetal death. Second and third trimester exposure is less risky, but it can cause intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight. Other effects on pregnancy after the first trimester include premature birth, stillbirth, impaired functional development, myocardial toxicity and myelosuppression. Counseling and management of these cases are difficult, because literature is mostly represented by case reports or retrospective series while randomized prospective studies or guidelines are lacking. Moreover, personal experience is often scanty due to the rarity of the condition. This article reviews the available data regarding the different aspects of systemic treatment of cancer during pregnancy to help oncologist and obstetricians in counseling their patients and treat them accordingly.

Management of hematological malignancies during pregnancy

The management of hematological malignancies during pregnancy is a challenging endeavor, which not only requires technical skills and knowledge by the clinicians but also requires sound clinical judgment and compassion, keeping in mind the patient and family preferences and, ultimately, the wellbeing of the neonate. The incidence of hematological malignancies during pregnancy is rare, ranging from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 deliveries, impeding the design and execution of large prospective studies. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the limited existing data and make useful suggestions in the management of acute and chronic leukemias, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, plasma cell myeloma, and other hematological malignancies, such as myelodysplastic syndromes and hairy cell leukemia, during pregnancy.

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia during pregnancy

Management of the pregnant patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a challenge. Immediate treatment of APL is critical, as it is an oncologic emergency, with a high risk of morbidity and mortality associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. However, administration of chemotherapy and differentiating agents in pregnancy is controversial because of potential teratogenic effects. In addition, complications associated with APL, including retinoic acid syndrome, add to the complexity of management. To better understand how to manage this complex patient care situation, we searched the PubMed database (January 1972-May 2008) for English-language articles about maternal and fetal outcomes resulting from APL treatment during pregnancy. A total of 42 cases from 35 articles were identified: 12 first-trimester, 21 second-trimester, and 9 third-trimester cases. The most commonly administered agents were all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), anthracyclines, and antimetabolites. Complete remission was reported in 35 (83%) of 42 patients. Administration of ATRA or chemotherapy in the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of fetal malformations and spontaneous abortion, whereas administration in the second and third trimesters was associated with relatively favorable fetal outcomes. The overall treatment of the pregnant patient with APL should include a discussion about pregnancy termination, especially if APL is diagnosed in the first trimester. If the pregnancy is to continue, then the appropriate chemotherapy regimen needs to be determined. Frequent fetal monitoring, along with aggressive management of potential APL-related complications, is necessary to allow for optimal maternal and fetal outcomes.

Leukaemia and pregnancy

In summary, the management of women diagnosed with leukaemia in pregnancy needs an interdisciplinary approach, including a careful oncological work-up as well as close monitoring of the pregnancy until delivery and beyond. Patients with acute leukaemias normally must receive anti-leukaemic treatment at full dosage prior to delivery, except for selected women diagnosed very close to term. Treatment should be avoided in the first trimester. The prognosis of pregnant women with acute leukaemia corresponds to that of an age-matched and diagnosis-matched non-pregnant cohort of patients, provided appropriate treatment is given. If given as of the second trimester, the typical chemotherapy regimes used for acute leukaemias imply acceptable acute toxicities to the fetus, with a somewhat increased risk of premature birth or developmental retardation, but no clear evidence of late sequelae in children and adolescents who were exposed to cytostatic agents whilst in utero. In chronic leukaemias and MDS, treatment may often be delayed until after delivery. In CML targeted therapy with imatinib mesylate is safe as of the second trimester, and possibly even before. Obstetric care and monitoring of women with leukaemia are essential throughout the pregnancy to ensure the best possible outcome for mother and child.

Cancer and pregnancy: Poena magna, not anymore

Cancer diagnosed during pregnancy constitutes a difficult clinical condition with a devastating impact on the patient's somatic and psychosocial health and possibly on foetal integrity. This circumstance also raises several moral, religious, social and familial dilemmas. In this review we critically present available evidence regarding the incidence, epidemiology and genetics of cancer in pregnant women, its presentation, diagnosis and staging as well as therapeutic management. Issues such as maternal/foetal prognosis, need for termination of pregnancy, risk of foetal health injury and necessity of psychosocial support are reviewed. Recent accumulating evidence suggests that, with appropriate management, poena magna should not be used to define neither cancer nor pregnancy.