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Lewis J, Guilcher GMT, Greenway SC. Reviewing the impact of hydroxyurea on DNA methylation and its potential clinical implications in sickle cell disease. Eur J Haematol 2024. [PMID: 38831675 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14247] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Hydroxyurea (HU) is the most common drug therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD). The clinical benefits of HU derive from its upregulation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which reduces aggregation of the mutated sickle hemoglobin protein (HbS) and reduces SCD symptoms and complications. However, some individuals do not respond to HU, or stop responding over time. Unfortunately, current understanding of the mechanism of action of HU is limited, hindering the ability of clinicians to identify those patients who will respond to HU and to optimize treatment for those receiving HU. Given that epigenetic modifications are essential to erythropoiesis and HbF expression, we hypothesize that some effects of HU may be mediated by epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation. However, few studies have investigated this possibility and the effects of HU on DNA methylation remain relatively understudied. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking HU treatment to DNA methylation changes and associated gene expression changes, with an emphasis on studies that were performed in individuals with SCD. Overall, although HU can affect DNA methylation, research on these changes and their clinical effects remains limited. Further study is likely to contribute to our understanding of hematopoiesis and benefit patients suffering from SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Lewis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gregory M T Guilcher
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven C Greenway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Cilio S, Fallara G, Stanghellini MTL, Ciceri F, Montorsi F, Lunghi F, Salonia A. Impact of Hydroxyurea to Treat Haematological Disorders on Male Fertility: Two Case Reports and a Systematic Review. World J Mens Health 2024; 42:42.e5. [PMID: 38164027 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.230069] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hydroxyurea (HU) is a cytoreductive agent used as standard treatment option for sickle cell anaemia/disease (SCD), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and polycythaemia vera (PV). Despite its overall good safety profile, its use also in relatively young patients raises an interest on its potential impact on spermatogenesis. To perform a systematic review of all published articles investigating fertility in male patients affected by SCD, ET, and PV and treated with HU. Two paradigmatic case reports of patients affected by PV and ET, respectively, have been also reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were queried for all the published studies indexed up to November 15th, 2022. A combination of the following keywords was used: "hydroxyurea," "fertility," "male," "sperm," "sickle cell anaemia," "sickle cell disease," "essential thrombocythemia," "polycythaemia vera." RESULTS Of 48 articles identified, 8 studies, involving 161 patients, were eligible for inclusion. Overall, the number of spermatogonia per round cross section of seminiferous tubule were decreased in patients with SCD compared to healthy males. HU treatment was always associated with a worsening of semen parameters, even up to azoospermia. Notably, treatment discontinuation was associated with an improvement of semen parameters and a trend toward normalization in the case of PV and ET, with a less clear amelioration in men with SCD. In both our patients with either PV or ET, HU discontinuation was associated with a significant improvement of spermatogenesis with successful spontaneous pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS Published evidence do not consistently report normalization of spermatogenesis after HU discontinuation in SCD cases. Conversely, the literature almost consistently reported an improvement of semen parameters at the discontinuation of HU therapy in PV and ET cases. Our real-life two cases confirmed those findings. The willing of fatherhood and the need for effective fertility treatment warrant further research to improve work-up management in men with hematological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cilio
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, Urology Unit, University of Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fallara
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Montorsi
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Lunghi
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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Feraille A, Liard A, Rives N, Bubenheim M, Barbotin AL, Giscard d'Estaing S, Mirallié S, Ancelle A, Roux C, Brugnon F, Daudin M, Schneider P, Dumont L, Rondanino C. Impact of low- or moderate-risk gonadotoxic chemotherapy prior to testicular tissue freezing on spermatogonia quantity in human (pre)pubertal testicular tissue. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:2105-2118. [PMID: 37674325 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead161] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the impact of low- or moderate-risk gonadotoxic chemotherapy received prior to testicular tissue freezing (TTF), and of the cancer itself, on spermatogonia quantity in testicular tissue from (pre)pubertal boys? SUMMARY ANSWER Vincristine, when associated with alkylating agents, has an additional adverse effect on spermatogonia quantity, while carboplatin has no individual contribution to spermatogonia quantity, in testicular tissue of (pre)pubertal boys, when compared to patients who have received non-alkylating chemotherapy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The improved survival rates after cancer treatment necessitate the inclusion of fertility preservation procedures as part of the comprehensive care for patients, taking into consideration their age. Sperm cryopreservation is an established procedure in post-pubertal males while the TTF proposed for (pre)pubertal boys remains experimental. Several studies exploring testicular tissue of (pre)pubertal boys after TTF have examined the tubular fertility index (TFI, percentage of seminiferous tubule cross-sections containing spermatogonia) and the number of spermatogonia per seminiferous tubule cross-section (S/T). All studies have demonstrated that TFI and S/T always decrease after the introduction of chemotherapeutic agents, especially those which carry high gonadotoxic risks such as alkylating agents. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Testicular tissue samples from 79 (pre)pubertal boys diagnosed with cancer (from 6 months to 16 years of age) were cryopreserved between May 2009 and June 2014. Their medical diagnoses and previous chemotherapy exposures were recorded. We examined histological sections of (pre)pubertal testicular tissue to elucidate whether the chemotherapy or the primary diagnosis affects mainly TFI and S/T. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS (Pre)pubertal boys with cancer diagnosis who had been offered TTF prior to conditioning treatment for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were included in the study. All the patients had previously received chemotherapy with low- or moderate-risk for future fertility. We have selected patients for whom the information on the chemotherapy received was complete. The quantity of spermatogonia and quality of testicular tissue were assessed by both morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A significant reduction in the number of spermatogonia was observed in boys treated with alkylating agents. The mean S/T values in boys exposed to alkylating agents were significantly lower compared to boys exposed to non-alkylating agents (P = 0.018). In contrast, no difference was observed for patients treated with carboplatin as the sole administered alkylating agent compared to the group of patients exposed to non-alkylating agents. We observed an increase of S/T with age in the group of patients who did not receive any alkylating agent and a decrease of S/T with age when patients received alkylating agents included in the cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED) formula (r = 0.6166, P = 0.0434; r = -0.3759, P = 0.0036, respectively). The TFI and S/T decreased further in the group of patients who received vincristine in combination with alkylating agents (decrease of 22.4%, P = 0.0049 and P < 0.0001, respectively), but in this group the CED was also increased significantly (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis, after CED adjustment, showed the persistence of a decrease in TFI correlated with vincristine administration (P = 0.02). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a descriptive study of testicular tissues obtained from (pre)pubertal boys who were at risk of infertility. The study population is quite heterogeneous, with a small number of patients in each sub-group. Our results are based on comparisons between patients receiving alkylating agents compared to patients receiving non-alkylating agents rather than chemotherapy-naive patients. The French national guidelines for fertility preservation in cancer patients recommend TTF before highly gonadotoxic treatment. Therefore, all the patients had received low- or moderate-risk gonadotoxic chemotherapy before TTF. Access to testicular tissue samples from chemotherapy-naive patients with comparable histological types of cancer was not possible. The functionality of spermatogonia and somatic cells could not be tested by transplantation or in vitro maturation due to limited sample sizes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study summarizes the spermatogonial quantity of (pre)pubertal boys prior to TTF. We confirmed a negative correlation between the cumulative exposure to alkylating agents and spermatogonial quantity. In addition, the synergistic use of vincristine in combination with alkylating agents showed a cumulative deleterious effect on the TFI. For patients for whom fertility preservation is indicated, TTF should be proposed for chemotherapy with a predicted CED above 4000 mg/m2. However, the data obtained from vincristine and carboplatin use should be confirmed in a subsequent study including more patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study had financial support from a French national research grant PHRC No. 2008/071/HP obtained by the French Institute of Cancer and the French Healthcare Organization. The sponsors played no role in the study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Feraille
- Biology of Reproduction-CECOS Laboratory, Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm U1239, NorDIC, Team "Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology", Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Agnès Liard
- Department of Child Surgery, Univ Rouen Normandie, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Nathalie Rives
- Biology of Reproduction-CECOS Laboratory, Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm U1239, NorDIC, Team "Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology", Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | | | - Anne-Laure Barbotin
- Institut de Biologie de la Reproduction-Spermiologie-CECOS de Lille, CHU de Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Sophie Mirallié
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS de Nantes, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Amélie Ancelle
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS de Caen, CHU de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Christophe Roux
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS de Besançon, CHU de Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Florence Brugnon
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS d'Auvergne, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Myriam Daudin
- CECOS Midi-Pyrénées, University Hospital of Toulouse, Hôpital Paule de Viguier, Toulouse, France
| | - Pascale Schneider
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Univ Rouen Normandie, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Ludovic Dumont
- Biology of Reproduction-CECOS Laboratory, Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm U1239, NorDIC, Team "Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology", Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Christine Rondanino
- Biology of Reproduction-CECOS Laboratory, Univ Rouen Normandie, Inserm U1239, NorDIC, Team "Adrenal and Gonadal Pathophysiology", Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
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Masliukaite I, Ntemou E, Feijen EAM, van de Wetering M, Meissner A, Soufan AT, Repping S, Kremer LMC, Jahnukainen K, Goossens E, van Pelt AMM. Childhood cancer and hematological disorders negatively affect spermatogonial quantity at diagnosis: a retrospective study of a male fertility preservation cohort. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:359-370. [PMID: 36708005 PMCID: PMC9977127 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the impact of cancer or hematological disorders on germ cells in pediatric male patients? SUMMARY ANSWER Spermatogonial quantity is reduced in testes of prepubertal boys diagnosed with cancer or severe hematological disorder compared to healthy controls and this reduction is disease and age dependent: patients with central nervous system cancer (CNS tumors) and hematological disorders, as well as boys <7 years are the most affected. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Fertility preservation in pediatric male patients is considered based on the gonadotoxicity of selected treatments. Although treatment effects on germ cells have been extensively investigated, limited data are available on the effect of the disease on the prepubertal male gonad. Of the few studies investigating the effects of cancer or hematologic disorders on testicular function and germ cell quantity in prepuberty, the results are inconsistent. However, recent studies suggested impairments before the initiation of known gonadotoxic therapy. Understanding which diseases and at what age affect the germ cell pool in pediatric patients before treatment is critical to optimize strategies and counseling for fertility preservation. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 101 boys aged <14 years with extra-cerebral cancer (solid tumors), CNS tumors, leukemia/lymphoma (blood cancer), or non-malignant hematological disorders, who were admitted for a fertility preservation programme between 2002 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In addition to clinical data, we analyzed measurements of testicular volume and performed histological staining on testicular biopsies obtained before treatment, at cryopreservation, to evaluate number of spermatogonia per tubular cross-section, tubular fertility index, and the most advanced germ cell type prior to chemo-/radiotherapy. The controls were data simulations with summary statistics from original studies reporting healthy prepubertal boys' testes characteristics. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Prepubertal patients with childhood cancer or hematological disorders were more likely to have significantly reduced spermatogonial quantity compared to healthy controls (48.5% versus 31.0% prevalence, respectively). The prevalence of patients with reduced spermatogonial quantity was highest in the CNS tumor (56.7%) and the hematological disorder (55.6%) groups, including patients with hydroxyurea pre-treated sickle cell disease (58.3%) and patients not exposed to hydroxyurea (50%). Disease also adversely impacted spermatogonial distribution and differentiation. Irrespective of disease, we observed the highest spermatogonial quantity reduction in patients <7 years of age. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION For ethical reasons, we could not collect spermatogonial quantity data in healthy prepubertal boys as controls and thus deployed statistical simulation on data from literature. Also, our results should be interpreted considering low patient numbers per (sub)group. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Cancers, especially CNS tumors, and severe hematological disorders can affect spermatogonial quantity in prepubertal boys before treatment. Consequently, these patients may have a higher risk of depleted spermatogonia following therapies, resulting in persistent infertility. Therefore, patient counseling prior to disease treatment and timing of fertility preservation should not only be based on treatment regimes, but also on diagnoses and age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) (EU-FP7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN) funded by European Commision grant no. 603568; ZonMW Translational Adult stem cell research (TAS) grant no. 116003002. No competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Masliukaite
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elissavet Ntemou
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Andreas Meissner
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandre T Soufan
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The National Health Care Institute, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Leontien M C Kremer
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsi Jahnukainen
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- New Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Hydroxyurea does not affect the spermatogonial pool in prepubertal patients with sickle cell disease. Blood 2021; 137:856-859. [PMID: 33259585 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020008146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In these two short reports, the authors approach the issue of whether hydroxyurea (HU) use in young males has major irreversible effects on sperm production. Joseph et al analyzed and compared sperm parameters in male patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who were exposed or not exposed to HU before puberty. They report semen abnormalities in all patients but no differences between groups. Independently, Gille et al provide evidence for the lack of in vivo HU-related decreases in the spermatogonial pool in biopsy specimens from young males with SCD but evidence for a negative effect of SCD itself. Together, these reports suggest that the use of HU in young males does not adversely affect fertility.
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Tian En L, Brougham MFH, Wallace WHB, Mitchell RT. Impacts of platinum-based chemotherapy on subsequent testicular function and fertility in boys with cancer. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 26:874-885. [PMID: 32935838 PMCID: PMC7600277 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with cancer often face infertility as a long-term complication of their treatment. For boys, compromised testicular function is common after chemotherapy and currently there are no well-established options to prevent this damage. Platinum-based agents are used to treat a wide variety of childhood cancers. However, platinum agents are not currently included in the cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED), which is used clinically to assess the risks to fertility posed by combination chemotherapy in children with cancer. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This was a systematic search of the literature designed to determine the evidence for effects of platinum-based cancer treatment on the prepubertal human testis in relation to subsequent testicular function and fertility. SEARCH METHODS PubMed and EMBASE were searched for articles published in English between 01 January 1966 and 05 April 2020 using search terms including 'cancer treatment', 'chemotherapy', 'human', 'prepubertal', 'testis', 'germ cells', 'testosterone' and related terms. Abstracts were screened and full-text articles were obtained for those that met the three major inclusion criteria (age ≤12 years at treatment, exposure to platinum-based chemotherapeutic and measure of reproductive function). Screening of bibliographies for full-text articles was used to identify additional studies. OUTCOMES Our initial search identified 1449 articles of which 20 (1.3%) studies (n = 13 759 males) met all inclusion criteria. A control group (healthy individuals or siblings) was included for 5/20 (25%) studies. A total of 10/20 (50%) studies provided sub-analysis of the relative gonadotoxicity of platinum-based agents.The primary outcome measures were: pregnancies and fatherhood; semen analysis; and hormonal function. For pregnancies and fatherhood, three studies (n = 10 453 males) reported negative associations with platinum-agents, including the largest (n = 5640) controlled study (hazard ratio = 0.56, P = 0.0023), whilst two other studies (n = 1781) with platinum sub-analysis reported no association. For semen analysis (based on World Health Organization criteria), platinum-based chemotherapy was associated with azoospermia in one study (n = 129), whilst another (n = 44) found no association and the remainder did not perform platinum-based sub-analysis. For hormone analysis, conflicting results were obtained regarding potential associations between platinum-based agents and elevated FSH (a proxy for impaired spermatogenesis); however, the majority of these studies were based on low numbers of patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Overall, these results indicate that platinum-based chemotherapy should be included in clinical calculators, for example CED, used to determine gonadotoxicity for childhood cancer treatment. These findings have important implications for clinicians regarding counselling patients and their carer(s) on fertility risk, guiding requirements for fertility preservation strategies (e.g. testicular tissue cryopreservation) and modification of treatments to reduce or eliminate the risk of infertility in childhood cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lim Tian En
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark F H Brougham
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
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