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Arecco L, Borea R, Magaton IM, Janković K, Mariamizde E, Stana M, Scavone G, Ottonello S, Spinaci S, Genova C, de Azambuja E, Lambertini M. Current practices in oncofertility counseling: updated evidence on fertility preservation and post-treatment pregnancies in young women affected by early breast cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2024; 24:803-817. [PMID: 38913581 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2024.2372337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anticancer treatments have significantly contributed to increasing cure rates of breast cancer in the last years; however, they can also lead to short- and long-term side effects, including gonadotoxicity, and compromised fertility in young women. Oncofertility is a crucial issue for young patients who have not yet completed their family planning at the time of cancer diagnosis. AREAS COVERED This review aims to cover all the latest available evidence in the field of oncofertility, including the gonadotoxicity of currently adopted anticancer therapies in the curative breast cancer setting, the available strategies for fertility preservation and the feasibility of achieving a pregnancy following anticancer treatment completion. EXPERT OPINION Over the past years, a significant progress has been made in oncofertility care for young women with breast cancer. In the context of the currently available evidence, every young woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer should receive a proper and complete oncofertility counseling before starting any anticancer treatment to increase her chances of future pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Arecco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Academic Trials Promoting Team, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roberto Borea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Isotta Martha Magaton
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Elene Mariamizde
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Todua Clinic, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mihaela Stana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Elysee Hospital, Alba Iulia, Romania
| | - Graziana Scavone
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Ottonello
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Spinaci
- ASL3 Breast Unit Department, Division of Breast Surgery, Ospedale Villa Scassi, Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Genova
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Evandro de Azambuja
- Academic Trials Promoting Team, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B.), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Liu SM, Huang SY, Wu HM, Chang CL, Huang HY. Ovarian stimulation response and fertility outcomes in patients with breast cancer across different stages, grades, and hormone receptor status for fertility preservation. J Formos Med Assoc 2024:S0929-6646(24)00399-1. [PMID: 39214749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the potential impact of stage, grade, and hormone receptor profile on ovarian stimulation response and fertility preservation outcomes. METHODS This retrospective cohort study evaluated data from breast cancer patients who underwent fertility preservation at a tertiary medical center between 2014 and 2022. The outcomes of women with low-stage cancer (stages I and II) were compared with those of women with high-stage disease (stages III and IV or lymph node metastasis). Similarly, we compared those with low-grade (grades 1 and 2) and high-grade (grade 3) malignancies. In addition, we compared different hormone statuses of breast cancer (1) estrogen receptor (ER) positive vs. ER-negative and (2) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) vs. non-TNBC. The primary outcome measured was the number of mature oocytes, while the secondary outcomes included the numbers of total oocytes retrieved, peak estradiol levels, and subsequent fertility preservation outcomes. RESULTS A total of 47 patients were included. Patients with high-grade tumors had a comparable number of mature oocytes (8 vs. 10, p = 0.08) compared to patients with low grade cancers. The stage-based analysis revealed a similar number of mature oocytes (8 vs. 10, p = 0.33) between high/low stage patients. In the hormone receptor-based analysis, no differences were seen in mature oocytes collected between the ER-positive/ER-negative group (9 vs. 9, p = 0.87) and the TNBC/non-TNBC group (11 vs. 9, p = 0.13). The utilization rate was 27.6% (13/47). CONCLUSION Our study showed similar ovarian stimulation response and fertility preservation outcomes among breast cancer patients with different prognostic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Min Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Yu Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 259 Wen-Hua 1st Road, Kwei-shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Ming Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 259 Wen-Hua 1st Road, Kwei-shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 259 Wen-Hua 1st Road, Kwei-shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yuan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 259 Wen-Hua 1st Road, Kwei-shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
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Magaton IM, Arecco L, Mariamidze E, Jankovic K, Stana M, Buzzatti G, Trevisan L, Scavone G, Ottonello S, Fregatti P, Massarotti C, von Wolff M, Lambertini M. Fertility and Pregnancy-Related Issues in Young BRCA Carriers With Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer (Auckl) 2024; 18:11782234241261429. [PMID: 38882447 PMCID: PMC11179469 DOI: 10.1177/11782234241261429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Approximately 10% to 15% of breast cancer cases in young women are diagnosed in patients harbouring germline (g) pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (PVs) in the BReast CAncer 1 (BRCA1) or BReast CAncer 2 (BRCA2) genes. Preclinical and clinical studies showed a potential negative effect of germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2) PVs on ovarian reserve and reproductive potential, even before starting anticancer therapies. The aim of this article is to summarize the current literature on the fertility potential of young gBRCA1/2 PVs carriers with breast cancer and the risk of gonadotoxicity associated with anticancer treatments. Moreover, we describe the available evidence on the efficacy of fertility preservation techniques in young gBRCA1/2 PVs carriers and the safety data on having a pregnancy after breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isotta Martha Magaton
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Arecco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elene Mariamidze
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Todua Clinic, Tbilisi, Georgien
| | - Kristina Jankovic
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinic Center Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Mihaela Stana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Elysee Hospital, Alba Iulia, Romania
| | - Giulia Buzzatti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Unit of Hereditary Cancer, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lucia Trevisan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Unit of Hereditary Cancer, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Graziana Scavone
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Ottonello
- Departent of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Piero Fregatti
- Department of Surgery, U.O.C. Clinica di Chirurgia Senologica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostic (DISC), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Massarotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI Department), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Child Department, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michael von Wolff
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O.C. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Dias Nunes J, Demeestere I, Devos M. BRCA Mutations and Fertility Preservation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:204. [PMID: 38203374 PMCID: PMC10778779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hereditary cancers mostly affect the adolescent and young adult population (AYA) at reproductive age. Mutations in BReast CAncer (BRCA) genes are responsible for the majority of cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 act as tumor suppressor genes as they are key regulators of DNA repair through homologous recombination. Evidence of the accumulation of DNA double-strand break has been reported in aging oocytes, while BRCA expression decreases, leading to the hypothesis that BRCA mutation may impact fertility. Moreover, patients exposed to anticancer treatments are at higher risk of fertility-related issues, and BRCA mutations could exacerbate the treatment-induced depletion of the ovarian reserve. In this review, we summarized the functions of both genes and reported the current knowledge on the impact of BRCA mutations on ovarian ageing, premature ovarian insufficiency, female fertility preservation strategies and insights about male infertility. Altogether, this review provides relevant up-to-date information on the impact of BRCA1/2 mutations on fertility. Notably, BRCA-mutated patients should be adequately counselled for fertility preservation strategies, considering their higher sensitivity to chemotherapy gonadotoxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Dias Nunes
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Isabelle Demeestere
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (M.D.)
- Fertility Clinic, HUB-Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Melody Devos
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.D.N.); (M.D.)
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We reviewed the most recent developments including the safety and effectiveness data and success rates in individualized ovarian stimulation protocols for adult and postpubertal females with cancer. RECENT FINDINGS In women with breast cancer, aromatase inhibitor- and tamoxifen-supplemented stimulation protocols increase the margin of safety by limiting estrogen exposure. The outcomes of ovarian stimulation appear similar between cancer and noncancer populations, even with the recently developed random-start protocols, which allow initiation of ovarian stimulation anytime during the menstrual cycle. Based on lower anti-Mullerian hormone levels and primordial follicle density, carriers of BRCA pathogenic variants ( BRCApv ) have decreased ovarian reserve in comparison to women without those variants and may lose larger portion of their ovarian reserve post chemotherapy. Oocyte cryopreservation is also emerging as a suitable fertility preservation approach for selected postpubertal girls as young as 12 years of age. SUMMARY Individualized ovarian stimulation approaches combined with improvements in cryopreservation techniques increased the success and safety margin to preserve fertility with oocyte freezing. Women with BRCApv , on the other hand, may be at disadvantage as they have lower ovarian reserve and may lose larger portion of their ovarian reserve post chemotherapy compared to women who do not carry these variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kutluk H Oktay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Innovation Institute for Fertility Preservation, New York and CT, USA
| | - Volkan Turan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Health and Technology University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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