Ovarian tissue banking for cancer patients: Reduction of post-transplantation ischaemic injury: intact ovary freezing and transplantation

In the last decade, fertility preservation has risen as a major field of interest, creating new interactions between oncologists and gynecologists. Various options, such as cryopreservation of ovarian tissue, have been developed and are currently routinely proposed in many centers. However, many of the options remain experimental and should be offered to patients only after adequate counseling. This paper addresses the efficiency and the potential of the different fertility preservation approaches.

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O-180 Oocyte vitrification for fertility preservation does not delay the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab127.081 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

I Sellami ◽

M Grynberg ◽

A Benoit ◽

C Sifer ◽

A Mayeur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Fertility Preservation ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Ovarian Tissue ◽

Young Patients ◽

Oocyte Retrieval ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Oocyte Vitrification

Abstract Study question Does oocyte vitrification for fertility preservation (FP) delay the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer? Summary answer The indication of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer should not be considered as an impediment to urgent oocyte vitrification for FP. What is known already FP is considered as one of the most important issues to address for young breast cancer patients. Cryopreservation of oocytes or embryos may be considered after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) or in vitro maturation (IVM). Pregnancies have been reported after reutilization of oocytes frozen following both procedures. Although oocyte competence is better after COH, this strategy requires on average 13 days to be achieved. In addition, the safety of ovarian stimulation before tumor removal is currently not formally established. In case of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the risk-benefit balance of COH is not well known. Study design, size, duration Retrospective cohort study including all breast cancer patients eligible for oocyte vitrification following COH or IVM before initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy between January 2016 and December 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Inclusion criteria were: female patients with confirmed non metastatic breast cancer, 18 to 40 years of age, with indication of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, who have had oocyte retrieval for FP after COH or IVM +/- cryopreservation of ovarian tissue. Various time-points related to cancer diagnosis, FP or chemotherapy were obtained from medical record review. Main results and the role of chance A total of 198 patients with confirmed breast cancer who had oocyte retrieval following COH (n = 57) or IVM +/- cryopreservation of ovarian tissue (n = 141) for FP prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included. Although women in IVM group were significantly younger as compared to patients who underwent COH (31.7 ± 4.2 vs. 33.3 ± 4.0 years, p = 0.019), ovarian reserve parameters, BMI and cancer stage did not differ between the two groups. Overall, the average time from cancer diagnosis to chemotherapy start was similar between patients having undergone COH or IVM before oocyte vitrification (37.3 ± 13.8 vs. 36.9 ±13.5 days in COH and IVM groups respectively, p=0.857). Limitations, reasons for caution The time from referral to FP consultation may have influenced the type of FP. In addition, the retrospective nature of the present analysis may constitute a limitation. Moreover, the efficiency and security of the different FP strategies used has not been analysed. Wider implications of the findings Oocyte vitrification following COH or IVM was not associated with delayed breast cancer treatment in the neoadjuvant setting, so long as there was a prompt FP referral. Young patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be informed of these findings to avoid unnecessary anxiety due to concern for delays. Trial registration number Not applicable

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Ovarian Tissue Banking to Postpone Menopause

Female and Male Fertility Preservation ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-47767-7_23 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 301-310

Author(s):

C. Yding Andersen ◽

S. Jouhari ◽

L. S. Mamsen ◽

S. O. Skouby

Keyword(s):

Tissue Banking ◽

Ovarian Tissue

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Advances in the Treatment and Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Toxicity

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21207792 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (20) ◽

pp. 7792

Author(s):

Hyun-Woong Cho ◽

Sanghoon Lee ◽

Kyung-Jin Min ◽

Jin Hwa Hong ◽

Jae Yun Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Fertility Preservation ◽

Ovarian Tissue ◽

Alkylating Agents ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Experimental Techniques ◽

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation

Due to improvements in chemotherapeutic agents, cancer treatment efficacy and cancer patient survival rates have greatly improved, but unfortunately gonadal damage remains a major complication. Gonadotoxic chemotherapy, including alkylating agents during reproductive age, can lead to iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and loss of fertility. In recent years, the demand for fertility preservation has increased dramatically among female cancer patients. Currently, embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are the only established options for fertility preservation in women. However, there is growing evidence for other experimental techniques including ovarian tissue cryopreservation, oocyte in vitro maturation, artificial ovaries, stem cell technologies, and ovarian suppression. To prevent fertility loss in women with cancer, individualized fertility preservation options including established and experimental techniques that take into consideration the patient’s age, marital status, chemotherapy regimen, and the possibility of treatment delay should be provided. In addition, effective multidisciplinary oncofertility strategies that involve a highly skilled and experienced oncofertility team consisting of medical oncologists, gynecologists, reproductive biologists, surgical oncologists, patient care coordinators, and research scientists are necessary to provide cancer patients with high-quality care.

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Function of Cryopreserved Cat Ovarian Tissue after Autotransplantation

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9121065 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1065 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Janice M. V. Vilela ◽

Ellen C. R. Leonel ◽

Liudimila P. Gonçalves ◽

Raísa E. G. Paiva ◽

Rodrigo S. Amaral ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subcutaneous Tissue ◽

Ovarian Tissue ◽

Fibrous Tissue ◽

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation ◽

Post Transplantation ◽

Fresh Tissue ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Antral Follicles ◽

Ovarian Cortex ◽

Tissue Cryopreservation

The aim of this study was to assess a slow-freezing protocol of cat ovarian tissue cryopreservation using autotransplantation. Four adult queens were ovariohysterectomized and the ovaries were fragmented and cryopreserved. After one week, the grafts were thawed and autografted to the subcutaneous tissue of the dorsal neck of each queen, then randomly removed after 7, 14, 28, 49, and 63 days after transplantation. Percentages of morphologically normal primordial and growing follicles (MNFs) were 88% and 97%, respectively, in fresh tissue samples (fresh controls), and 74% and 100%, respectively, immediately after thawing (cryo D0). No MNFs were found after 49 days of transplantation. In both fresh control and cryo D0 fragments, granulosa cells were frequently in proliferation. Two morphologically normal antral follicles were detected in one queen on Day 28 post-transplantation. Connective tissue fibers increased, suggesting replacement of active ovarian cortex by fibrous tissue. Tissue vascularization was observed at 7 days after grafting, and wide blood vessels were clearly visible on Days 49 and 63. In conclusion, although follicular survival was low after cryopreservation and grafting of cat ovarian tissue, follicles were able to develop up to the antral stage, which is an encouraging outcome.

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