This was from a link from the LLS regarding pregnancy and Gleevec

[Guest guest]

Pregnancy among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with

imatinib.

Ault P, Kantarjian H, O'Brien S, Faderl S, Beran M, Rios MB, Koller

C, Giles F, Keating M, Talpaz M, Cortes J.

Department of Leukemia, M.D. Cancer Center, Houston, TX

77030, USA.

PURPOSE: Imatinib has potential teratogenicity in animals, but the

effect of exposure to imatinib during conception and pregnancy in

humans is not known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of all

patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with imatinib

were reviewed. We report the experience on 19 pregnancies involving

18 patients (10 females and eight males) who conceived while

receiving imatinib for the treatment of CML. RESULTS: All female

patients discontinued therapy immediately on recognition of

pregnancy. Three pregnancies (involving two female patients and one

male patient) ended in spontaneous abortion, and one patient had an

elective abortion. All other pregnancies were uneventful. Two of the

16 babies had minor abnormalities at or shortly after birth

(hypospadias in one baby and rotation of small intestine in one baby)

that were surgically repaired. All babies have continued normal

growth and development. Among female patients who interrupted

therapy, five of nine in complete hematologic remission (CHR) at the

time of treatment interruption eventually lost CHR, and six

experienced an increase in Philadelphia chromosome-positive

metaphases. At a median of 18 months after resuming therapy with

imatinib, eight patients had a cytogenetic response (complete in

three patients). CONCLUSION: Although there is no evidence that a

brief exposure to imatinib during conception and pregnancy adversely

affects the developing fetus, most patients lose their response after

treatment interruption. Patients receiving imatinib should be advised

to practice adequate contraception.