New case report by Dr. Stephanie Canale published in the journal Clinical Lactation

As part of Lactation Lab’s continued research in the field of breast milk, nutrition and infant health, Dr. Stephanie Canale (Lactation Lab’s founder) recently authored a case study with her UCLA colleagues that was published by the journal Clinical Lactation.  There is a scarcity of research around the presence of drugs in human milk and Lactation Lab is trying to change that. Dr. Canale and her team studied the presence of platinum in breast milk after treatment with the anti-cancer drug Cisplatin, using test methods developed by Lactation Lab in conjunction with the California Nanosystems Institute.

Case Report: Prolonged Excretion of Platinum in Human Breast Milk After Cisplatin Therapy

Canale, Stephanie, MD
Duffy, Jennifer, MD
Chang, Chong Hyun, PhD
Damoiseaux, Robert, PhD

Clinical Lactation
Vol 10 Issue 4

Abstract

Introduction

Cisplatin is used to treat cancers that affect women of childbearing age and those that may breastfeed. Prior literature regarding the duration of cisplatin excretion in human milk is sparse and suggests complete clearance days after initial administration.

Method

We present the case of a postpartum woman who received three doses of weekly cisplatin for cervical cancer. Platinum levels were measured in expressed milk for several months after cisplatin administration.

Results

Levels of the parent element platinum were detected 159 days (over 22 weeks) following administration. These results demonstrate persistence of detectable platinum levels for a much longer period than previously reported.

Conclusion

This case report is the first to follow platinum levels in expressed milk after multiple postpartum cisplatin doses. Our results demonstrate a biphasic elimination with detection spanning several months after cessation of treatment. Women should be advised to abstain from breastfeeding until long after completion of cisplatin therapy.