Maternal and Neonatal Outcome after the Use of G-CSF for Cancer Treatment during Pregnancy

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Treatment of pregnant cancer patients should adhere as much as possible to standard treatment protocols in order to safeguard maternal prognosis. The use of Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can be indicated for dose dense chemotherapy in high risk breast cancer patients or for the treatment or prevention of neutropenic fever, which can be an important threat for maternal and fetal survival. However, as evidence is still scarce, physicians are still reluctant to the use of G-CSF during pregnancy. In this series, the International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) reports on 42 pregnant patients who received G-CSF during oncological treatment. Reported maternal and neonatal complications are acceptable; however, a continuous evaluation of clinical practice is necessary as the limited data in numbers and follow-up do not allow robust conclusions. ABSTRACT: Data on the use of Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in pregnant cancer patients are scarce. The International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) reviewed data of pregnant patients treated with chemotherapy and G-CSF, and their offspring. Among 2083 registered patients, 42 pregnant patients received G-CSF for the following indications: recent chemotherapy induced febrile neutropenia (5; 12%), dose dense chemotherapy (28, 67%), poly chemotherapy (7, 17%), or prevention of neutropenia at delivery (2; 5%). Among 24 women receiving dose dense chemotherapy, three (13%) patients recovered from asymptomatic neutropenia within 5 days. One patient developed pancytopenia following polychemotherapy after which the pregnancy was complicated by chorioamnionitis and intrauterine death. Nineteen singleton livebirths (49%) were born preterm. Sixteen neonates (41%) were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive care Unit (NICU). No neonatal neutropenia occurred. Two neonates had congenital malformations. Out of 21 children in follow-up, there were four children with a motor development delay and two premature infants had a delay in cognitive development. In conclusion, the rate of maternal and neonatal complications are similar to those described in (pregnant) women treated with chemotherapy. Due to small numbers and limited follow-up, rare or delayed effects among offspring exposed to G-CSF in utero cannot be ruled out yet.