Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore outcomes of planned pregnancy in female patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of female patients proceeding with a planned pregnancy were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients with CML who achieved at least a major molecular response (MMR) during imatinib (n = 13) or nilotinib (n = 4) therapy prior to a planned pregnancy were enrolled. At the time of TKI interruption, six were in MMR, two in molecular response 4 (MR(4)), and nine in molecular response 4.5 (MR(4.5)). TKI therapy was discontinued 6 weeks (range, 2-15 weeks) before conception in 4 patients and at gestational age of 4 weeks (range, 2-5 weeks) after determination of pregnancy in 13 patients. Apart from 1 patient who suffered a spontaneous abortion, 16 patients delivered uneventfully. A total of 10 patients lost MMR after stopping TKIs; 8 lost molecular response 2, and 3 lost complete hematological response. Log-rank analyses showed achieving MR(4) (p = .030) or MR(4.5) (p = .031), complete cytogenetic response duration ≥3.5 years (p = .049), and MMR duration ≥3.5 years (p = .040) were significantly associated with longer MMR-failure-free survival during TKI interruption. CONCLUSION: Planned pregnancy might be pragmatic in female patients with CML on TKIs. Achieving deep molecular response and, importantly, MMR duration ≥3.5 years were significantly associated with maintaining MMR during pregnancy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Female patients with chronic myeloid leukemia on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) wishing to conceive are currently advised to discontinue TKIs before conception. However, the ideal degree and duration of response before stopping TKI, in addition to whether there will be any adverse effect caused by a short exposure of TKI, is unknown. Data of 17 female patients, who achieved at least a major molecular response (MMR) before TKI interruption, was revised, and it was found that achieving deep molecular response and MMR duration ≥3.5 years was significantly associated with maintaining MMR during pregnancy. This provides direct evidence for a planned pregnancy strategy, and stopping TKI immediately after determination of pregnancy in female patients might be pragmatic.