Targeted and immunotherapy drugs and pregnancy
Targeted and immunotherapy drugs are used to treat different cancers. Most of these cannot be given during pregnancy.
On this page
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About targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
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Breast cancer and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
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Chronic myeloid leukaemia and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
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Lymphoma and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
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Advanced melanoma and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
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Getting the right support
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How we can help
About targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
You cannot take most of these drugs during pregnancy because they are harmful to the baby. Some drugs are still new, so there is not a lot of information about their effects during pregnancy. They are not usually used during a pregnancy.
Your cancer doctor can talk with you about what is known about any drugs or treatments that are offered and what this means for you and your baby.
Breast cancer and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
If you have breast cancer and need targeted or immunotherapy drugs such as trastuzumab, pertuzumab or pembrolizumab you can have it after the baby is born. During pregnancy, it can reduce the amount of fluid around the baby.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
Imatinib (Glivec®) is a drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). It is usually avoided during pregnancy. Drugs similar to imatinib are also usually avoided.
Advanced melanoma and targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs in pregnancy
Targeted therapy drugs used to treat advanced melanoma are not given during pregnancy. These include:
- vemurafenib (Zelboraf®)
- dabrafenib (Tafinlar®)
- trametinib (Mekinist®).
Immunotherapy drugs used to treat advanced melanoma are not given during pregnancy. These include:
- ipilimumab (Yervoy®)
- nivolumab (Opdivo®)
- pembrolizimab (Keytruda®).
Interferon alpha (IntronA®, Roferon-A®) is an immunotherapy drug that can be given during pregnancy. It can help treat advanced melanoma until after the baby is born. You can then have targeted therapy drugs.
Interferon may also be used during pregnancy to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
Related pages
Getting the right support
If you are pregnant and have cancer, or are worried about treatment and pregnancy:
- Ask to speak to your specialist cancer nurse
- Your care will usually be supported by a multidisciplinary team, including cancer and pregnancy specialists who work together to plan the safest care for you and your baby.
If you need emotional support, practical advice or simply someone to listen, you can contact the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
Our teams can talk things through with you in confidence.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our pregnancy and cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
de Haan J, Verheecke M, et al. Oncological management and obstetric and neonatal outcomes for women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy: a 20-year international cohort study of 1170 patients. Lancet Oncology. 2018. Vol 19 [accessed October 2023]
Public Health England, Cancer before, during and after pregnancy, National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service 2018 [accessed October 2023]
Silverstein J, Post AL, Chien AJ, Olin R, Tsai KK, Ngo Z, Van Loon K. Multidisciplinary management of cancer during pregnancy. JCO Oncol Pract. 2020 Sep;16(9):545-557. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.00077. PMID: 32910882. [accessed September 2023]
Wolters V, Heimovaara J, Maggen C, et al. Management of pregnancy in cancer Int J Gynecol Cancer 2021;31:314–322.
Reviewer
Consultant Medical Oncologist & Honorary Associate Professor
Date reviewed
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