Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2014 Nov;57(6):478-483. 10.5468/ogs.2014.57.6.478.

The feasibility and efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for prevention of chemotherapy induced ovarian failure in patient with gynecological malignancies

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gil Hospital, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea. leekwbm@gilhospital.com

Abstract


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) depot (Leuprolide acetate) in women with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy while taking a continuous add-back on the prevention of premature ovarian failure.
METHODS
Fourteen premenopausal patients with gynecological malignancies who had undergone conservation of ovaries surgery received a GnRH-a depot plus add-back until chemotherapy was completed. Four weeks thereafter, a hormonal profile (follicle stimulating hormone) was measured.
RESULTS
The mean follicle stimulating hormone level was 15.8 IU/L. All patients exhibited a restoration of ovarian failure during follow-up. One patient became pregnant during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
In the short term, GnRH-a appears to protect ovarian function and ability to achieve pregnancy following chemotherapy. The result of our study needs further elucidation in a large randomized controlled trial.

Keyword

Adjuvant chemotherapy; Fertility preservation; Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist; Ovarian neoplasms; Uterine cervical neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Drug Therapy*
Female
Fertility Preservation
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Follow-Up Studies
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*
Humans
Ovarian Neoplasms
Ovary
Pregnancy
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

Reference

1. National Cancer Information Center. Cancer incidence [Internet]. Goyang: National Cancer Information Center;2012. cited 2012 Oct 20. Available from: http://www.cancer.go.kr/mbs/cancer/index.jsp.
2. Levine J, Canada A, Stern CJ. Fertility preservation in adolescents and young adults with cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2010; 28:4831–4841.
3. Abusief ME, Missmer SA, Ginsburg ES, Weeks JC, Partridge AH. The effects of paclitaxel, dose density, and trastuzumab on treatment-related amenorrhea in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Cancer. 2010; 116:791–798.
4. Burstein HJ, Winer EP. Primary care for survivors of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2000; 343:1086–1094.
5. Goodwin PJ, Ennis M, Pritchard KI, Trudeau M, Hood N. Risk of menopause during the first year after breast cancer diagnosis. J Clin Oncol. 1999; 17:2365–2370.
6. Hart R. Preservation of fertility in adults and children diagnosed with cancer. BMJ. 2008; 337:a2045.
7. Parulekar WR, Day AG, Ottaway JA, Shepherd LE, Trudeau ME, Bramwell V, et al. Incidence and prognostic impact of amenorrhea during adjuvant therapy in high-risk premenopausal breast cancer: analysis of a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group Study: NCIC CTG MA.5. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23:6002–6008.
8. Stone FR, Slack RS, Novielli A, Ellis M, Baidas S, Gelmann E, et al. Rate of chemotherapy related amenorrhea associated with adjuvant Adriamycin and Cytoxan (AC) and Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by Taxol (AC+T) in early stage breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2000; 64:224.
9. Ben-Aharon I, Shalgi R. What lies behind chemotherapy-induced ovarian toxicity? Reproduction. 2012; 144:153–163.
10. Roberts JE, Oktay K. Fertility preservation: a comprehensive approach to the young woman with cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2005; (34):57–59.
11. Pennisi AJ, Grushkin CM, Lieberman E. Gonadal function in children with nephrosis treated with cyclophosphamide. Am J Dis Child. 1975; 129:315–318.
12. Wallace WH, Shalet SM, Tetlow LJ, Morris-Jones PH. Ovarian function following the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1993; 21:333–339.
13. Blumenfeld Z. How to preserve fertility in young women exposed to chemotherapy? The role of GnRH agonist cotreatment in addition to cryopreservation of embrya, oocytes, or ovaries. Oncologist. 2007; 12:1044–1054.
14. Ataya K, Ramahi-Ataya A. Reproductive performance of female rats treated with cyclophosphamide and/or LHRH agonist. Reprod Toxicol. 1993; 7:229–235.
15. Ataya K, Rao LV, Lawrence E, Kimmel R. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist inhibits cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian follicular depletion in rhesus monkeys. Biol Reprod. 1995; 52:365–372.
16. Bokser L, Szende B, Schally AV. Protective effects of D-Trp6-luteinising hormone-releasing hormone microcapsules against cyclophosphamide-induced gonadotoxicity in female rats. Br J Cancer. 1990; 61:861–865.
17. Blumenfeld Z, Eckman A. Preservation of fertility and ovarian function and minimization of chemotherapy-induced gonadotoxicity in young women by GnRH-a. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2005; (34):40–43.
18. Blumenfeld Z, Avivi I, Linn S, Epelbaum R, Ben-Shahar M, Haim N. Prevention of irreversible chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage in young women with lymphoma by a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist in parallel to chemotherapy. Hum Reprod. 1996; 11:1620–1626.
19. Castelo-Branco C, Nomdedeu B, Camus A, Mercadal S, Martinez de, Balasch J. Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in patients with Hodgkin's disease for preservation of ovarian function and reduction of gonadotoxicity related to chemotherapy. Fertil Steril. 2007; 87:702–705.
20. Huser M, Crha I, Ventruba P, Hudecek R, Zakova J, Smardova L, et al. Prevention of ovarian function damage by a GnRH analogue during chemotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Hum Reprod. 2008; 23:863–868.
21. Pereyra Pacheco B, Mendez Ribas JM, Milone G, Fernandez I, Kvicala R, Mila T, et al. Use of GnRH analogs for functional protection of the ovary and preservation of fertility during cancer treatment in adolescents: a preliminary report. Gynecol Oncol. 2001; 81:391–397.
22. Blumenfeld Z, Avivi I, Eckman A, Epelbaum R, Rowe JM, Dann EJ. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist decreases chemotherapy-induced gonadotoxicity and premature ovarian failure in young female patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Fertil Steril. 2008; 89:166–173.
23. Demeestere I, Brice P, Peccatori FA, Kentos A, Gaillard I, Zachee P, et al. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure in patients with lymphoma: 1-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2013; 31:903–909.
24. Elgindy EA, El-Haieg DO, Khorshid OM, Ismail EI, Abdelgawad M, Sallam HN, et al. Gonadatrophin suppression to prevent chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2013; 121:78–86.
25. Anderson RA, Themmen AP, Al-Qahtani A, Groome NP, Cameron DA. The effects of chemotherapy and long-term gonadotrophin suppression on the ovarian reserve in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Hum Reprod. 2006; 21:2583–2592.
26. Scott RT, Opsahl MS, Leonardi MR, Neall GS, Illions EH, Navot D. Life table analysis of pregnancy rates in a general infertility population relative to ovarian reserve and patient age. Hum Reprod. 1995; 10:1706–1710.
27. Lutchman Singh K, Davies M, Chatterjee R. Fertility in female cancer survivors: pathophysiology, preservation and the role of ovarian reserve testing. Hum Reprod Update. 2005; 11:69–89.
28. De Vet A, Laven JS, de Jong FH, Themmen AP, Fauser BC. Antimullerian hormone serum levels: a putative marker for ovarian aging. Fertil Steril. 2002; 77:357–362.
29. Bath LE, Wallace WH, Shaw MP, Fitzpatrick C, Anderson RA. Depletion of ovarian reserve in young women after treatment for cancer in childhood: detection by anti-Müllerian hormone, inhibin B and ovarian ultrasound. Hum Reprod. 2003; 18:2368–2374.
30. Bath LE, Anderson RA, Critchley HO, Kelnar CJ, Wallace WH. Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian dysfunction after prepubertal chemotherapy and cranial irradiation for acute leukaemia. Hum Reprod. 2001; 16:1838–1844.
31. Van Beek RD, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Laven JS, de Jong FH, Themmen AP, Hakvoort-Cammel FG, et al. Anti-Mullerian hormone is a sensitive serum marker for gonadal function in women treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma during childhood. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007; 92:3869–3874.
32. Sklar C. Reproductive physiology and treatment-related loss of sex hormone production. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1999; 33:2–8.
33. Sklar CA, Mertens AC, Mitby P, Whitton J, Stovall M, Kasper C, et al. Premature menopause in survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006; 98:890–896.
Full Text Links
  • OGS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr