Too Early to Say That Pregnancy Has an Antitumor Effect on Breast Cancer
Authors: Antonella Surbone, Shari Gelber, Richard D. Gelber, Alan S. Coates, Aron Goldhrisch, Monica Castiglione-Gertsch
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2001)

Article Tools SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS Article Tools OPTIONS & TOOLS Export Citation Track Citation Add To Favorites Rights & Permissions COMPANION ARTICLES No companion articles ARTICLE CITATION DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2001.19.16.3707 Journal of Clinical Oncology - published online before print September 21, 2016 PMID: 11504753 Too Early to Say That Pregnancy Has an Antitumor Effect on Breast Cancer Antonella SurbonexAntonella SurboneSearch for articles by this author Shari GelberxShari GelberSearch for articles by this author , Richard D. GelberxRichard D. GelberSearch for articles by this author , Alan S. CoatesxAlan S. CoatesSearch for articles by this author , Aron GoldhrischxAron GoldhrischSearch for articles by this author , Monica Castiglione-GertschxMonica Castiglione-GertschSearch for articles by this author Show More New York, NYInternational Breast Cancer Study Group Statistical Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MAAustralian Cancer Society, University of Sydney, Sydney, AustraliaEuropean Institute of Oncology, Milan, ItalyInternational Breast Cancer Study Group Coordinating Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2001.19.16.3707 First Page Full Text PDF Figures and Tables © 2001 by American Society of Clinical OncologyjcoJ Clin OncolJournal of Clinical OncologyJCO0732-183X1527-7755American Society of Clinical OncologyResponse15082001In Reply:We thank Dr Surbone for her thoughtful remarks. Two issues that she mentions should be discussed further. One is the methodologic issue that even prospective studies such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering project will not be able to ascertain the effect of pregnancy on outcome in the absence of a randomized clinical trial framework. Nevertheless, these registry studies, including a prospective study being conducted jointly by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the International Breast Cancer Study Group, will contribute to our understanding of the factors that influence outcome.The second issue is that pregnancy is not only associated with endocrine events. There are several other postulated antitumor effects of pregnancy, including angiogenesis1 and immunolologic2 factors. In addition, there is some evidence of tumor suppression during pregnancy.3 These arguments are controversial, but they should be mentioned within this context for completeness.The important message of our work, as well as that of others, has come through: women who wish to become pregnant following the diagnosis of breast cancer can be reassured.1. Smith SK: Angiogenesis and implantation. Hum Reprod 6:: 59,2000-66, (suppl) Google Scholar2. Grasso G, Massai L, Migliaccio P, et al: Plasma anti-viral activity and interferon-gamma production by super-antigen-stimulated lymphocytes during normal human pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 45:: 217,2001-225, Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar3. Zumoff B: Hormonal profiles in women with breast cancer. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 21:: 751,1994-772, Medline, Google Scholar