(Cervical Cancer) Cancer Cells Transmitted to Newborns via Amniotic Fluid During Delivery

• September 20, 2021
• 2 min read

Researchers at Japan's National Cancer Research Center have published a case report in the New England Journal of Medicine describing an unprecedented mode of cancer transmission: cervical cancer cells present in amniotic fluid were transmitted to newborns during vaginal delivery, subsequently causing lung cancer in two boys.

Case Details:

Two boys who developed lung cancer were found to have cancer cells genetically identical to those of their mothers, who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Genomic analysis confirmed that the cancer cells originated from the mothers' cervical tumors, transmitted via amniotic fluid during the birth process. This represents the first documented cases of maternal cancer transmission to offspring through this route.

Treatment:

One of the boys was treated with nivolumab (Opdivo), an anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. He achieved a dramatic complete response following nivolumab therapy, with no evidence of residual disease.

Significance:

This report highlights a previously unrecognized risk of vertical cancer transmission during vaginal delivery in mothers with active cervical cancer. The cases also demonstrate the potential efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in pediatric patients with cervical cancer-derived lung tumors.

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Source: New England Journal of Medicine, National Cancer Research Center Japan

Cervical Cancer | Pediatric | Nivolumab | Case Report

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