1
|
Johannesson L, Testa G, Beshara MM, da Graca B, Walter JR, Quintini C, Latif N, Hashimoto K, Richards EG, O’Neill K. Awareness and Interest in Uterus Transplantation over Time: Analysis of Those Seeking Surgical Correction for Uterine-Factor Infertility in the US. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4201. [PMID: 37445236 PMCID: PMC10342774 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study describes the characteristics of women who contacted an active program performing uterus transplantation (UTx) in the US, expressing interest in becoming a uterus transplant recipient or a living donor. Basic demographic and self-reported clinical information was collected from women who contacted any of the three US UTx programs from 2015 to July 2022. The three centers received 5194 inquiries about becoming a UTx recipient during the study timeframe. Among those reporting a cause of infertility, almost all of the reports (4066/4331, 94%) were absence of a uterus, either congenitally (794/4066, 20%) or secondary to hysterectomy (3272/4066, 80%). The mean age was 34 years, and 49% (2545/5194) had at least one child at the time of application. The two centers using living donors received 2217 inquiries about becoming living donors. The mean age was 34 years, and 60% (1330/2217) had given birth to ≥1 child. While most of the UTx clinical trial evidence has focused on young women with congenital absence of the uterus, these results show interest from a much broader patient population in terms of age, cause of infertility, and parity. These results raise questions about whether and to what extent the indications and eligibility criteria for UTx should be expanded as the procedure transitions from the experimental phase to being offered as a clinical treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liza Johannesson
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Giuliano Testa
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Menas M. Beshara
- TX A&M College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75231, USA
| | - Briget da Graca
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Jessica R. Walter
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Cristiano Quintini
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nawar Latif
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Koji Hashimoto
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44103, USA
| | - Elliott G. Richards
- Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44103, USA
| | - Kathleen O’Neill
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
da Graca B, Johannesson L, Testa G, Wall AE. The Ethical Evolution of Uterus Transplantation From Concept to Clinical Procedure. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2022; 65:24-36. [PMID: 35045022 DOI: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Uterus transplantation (UTx) offers women with absolute uterine factor infertility a path to motherhood that enables them to carry their own pregnancy. Debates about the ethics of UTx have evolved in tandem with its clinical evolution: clinical trials have provided evidence regarding risks and benefits to donors and recipients that were initially uncertain; technical advances have altered the balance between risks and benefits; and the experiences of donors and recipients has revealed questions that were not anticipated. As UTx transitions to a clinical procedure, questions remain about long-term risks and benefits, applications beyond carrying a pregnancy, and cost and access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Liza Johannesson
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Giuliano Testa
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center
| | - Anji E Wall
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
da Graca B, Johannesson L, Testa G, Wall A. Uterus transplantation: ethical considerations. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2021; 26:664-668. [PMID: 34636768 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Uterus transplantation (Utx) offers women with absolute uterine factor infertility the opportunity to carry their own pregnancies. As Utx transitions from an experimental to standard clinical procedure, we review the status of the ethical issues applicable to the stakeholders involved. RECENT FINDINGS With more than 65 Utx procedures reported to date, evidence is accruing that enables the chance of success - a live birth - for the recipient to be weighed against the risks the recipient incurs through the Utx process, as well as risks to living donors undergoing surgery, to children exposed in utero to immunosuppressants and the uterine graft environment, and to third parties related to uterus procurement from multiorgan deceased donors. Experience has also informed aspects of recipient and donor autonomy that must be safeguarded. SUMMARY Clinical trial results provides a basis for weighing the interests of the stakeholders implicated in Utx, and so can inform transplant centers' and regulatory bodies' development of policies and protocols that will determine access to Utx and allocation of organs, together with other considerations of justice. Additional evidence, particularly on long-term outcomes, is needed, and new questions can be expected to arise as access to and indications for Utx broaden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Liza Johannesson
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Anji Wall
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute
| |
Collapse
|