title: Chemotherapy, targeted agents, antiemetics and growth-factors in human milk: how should we counsel cancer patients about breastfeeding?
abstract: An increasing number of women are diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy and lactation. Women are usually advised to interrupt breastfeeding during systemic anticancer treatment for fear of serious adverse effects to the nursed infant. However, the issue is poorly addressed in the literature and very few studies have evaluated the safety of breastfeeding during or after cytotoxic drugs or target agents administration. In this review we will analyze the available evidence that addresses the issue of anticancer drugs, targeted agents, antiemetics and growth-factors excretion in human milk. This could serve as a unique resource that may aid physicians in the management of breastfeeding cancer patients interested in maintaining lactation during treatment.
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Procreation in Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pistilli
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellettini
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giovannetti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Codacci-Pisanelli
authors.forename: Hatem A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Azim
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Maria Anna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sarno
authors.forename: Fedro A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Peccatori
mesh_terms: D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins