Effects of imatinib/Gleevec on pregnant and lactating women

Imatinib/Gleevec (Imatinib) is a standard treatment drug for the treatment of various tumors such as chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Although it has achieved significant clinical efficacy, there are still certain risks when used by pregnant and lactating women. Caution is required when using this medication during pregnancy and lactation due to the potential risk, particularly effects on the fetus or infant.

Imatinib is a class D drug, which means that use during pregnancy may cause harm to the fetus. According to the results of animal experiments, the use of imatinib during pregnancy in rats showed teratogenic effects, especially during the organ formation stage, when the maximum human dose of 800 mg/day was administered, fetal development abnormalities occurred. In female rats, imatinib administration also resulted in significant post-implantation losses. In addition, the drug may cause problems such as fetal growth restriction and organ underdevelopment.

Although studies in humans are limited, results from animal experiments suggest that taking imatinib during pregnancy may pose serious risks to the fetus. Therefore, when pregnant women receive imatinib treatment, they need to fully weigh the pros and cons and discuss in detail with their doctor whether there is a necessary treatment option. For pregnant women, it is recommended to communicate closely with the doctor during the treatment process to avoid adverse effects on the fetus. If possible, avoid imatinib and choose other, safer treatment options.

Imatinib and its active metabolite are excreted in breast milk. Studies have shown that the high concentration of imatinib in breast milk may have adverse effects on the health of nursing infants. For infants, serious side effects may occur after ingesting imatinib, including suppression of the immune system, hematological abnormalities, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc. Therefore, to avoid these potential risks, international medical guidelines recommend that lactating women cease breastfeeding during treatment and for at least one month after treatment. This is because the concentration of imatinib and its metabolites in breast milk is high and these components may pose a potential threat to the development and health of the baby.

Reference materials:https://www.gleevec.com/