Impacts of oncological treatments on fertility: A systematic review.
Jhessyka Lane Ferreira Fernandes, Fernanda Carolina Ribeiro Dias, Camila Cotian Teixeira et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the impact of oncological treatments on fertility using murine models, analyzing 30 studies. It found that alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and antineoplastic antibiotics significantly impair fertility, with notable testicular degeneration and follicular toxicity. The review highlights the need for fertility preservation strategies in cancer patients.
Key findings
- Alkylating agents caused significant testicular degeneration and follicular toxicity.
- Antimetabolites and antineoplastic antibiotics induced severe reproductive damage in both sexes.
- Topoisomerase and microtubule inhibitors demonstrated relevant reproductive toxicity, though data are limited.
- Most studies focused on male fertility, with limited comprehensive evaluations in females.
Why it matters
Understanding the reproductive toxicity of cancer treatments is crucial for clinicians to inform patients about potential fertility risks and to consider fertility preservation options before treatment.
What to keep in mind
The review noted a lack of blinding and allocation concealment in the included studies.