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Herceptin (trastuzumab) therapy during pregnancy: association with reversible anhydramnios.

Watson WJ

Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Watson.William@mayo.edu

BACKGROUND: Herceptin (trastuzumab), a new a chemotherapeutic agent, is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein. There is no reported experience with use of this agent during pregnancy and possible effects on the fetus. CASE: A patient with breast cancer was treated with Herceptin during pregnancy. This treatment was associated with anhydramnios, which resolved slowly after the drug was discontinued. CONCLUSION: Although listed as a category B drug, experience with Herceptin in human pregnancy is limited, and it should be used with caution. Investigation of the role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein in the embryonic kidney may further our understanding of amniotic fluid dynamics.

Published 1 March 2005 in Obstet Gynecol, 105(3): 642-3.
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