<b>Lupron Depot Use
[for protection and preservation of fertility during cancer treatment]</b>

[This abstract was re-written because of copyright. Ed.]

Gynecol Oncol 2001 Jun;81(3):391-7

<b>Use of GnRH analogs for functional protection of the ovary and preservation of fertility during cancer treatment in adolescents: a preliminary report.</b>

Pereyra PachecoB, Mendez Ribas JM, Milone G, Fernandez I, KvicalaR, Mila T, DiNotoA, Contreras OrtizO, PavlovskyS. Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Section, Hospital de Clinicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. pereyrapachecob@vianetworks.com.ar

They studied whether leuprolide acetate [aka lupron depot], a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog, could protect the ovary during polychemotherapy and thereby protect fertility. The patients were divided into three groups: Group A was a control group of 5 young children who were not given lupron depot. Group B were 12 teenagers with normal menses who received treatment with lupron depot prior to chemo, and monthly injections while on chemotherapy. Group C were 4 teenagers with normal menses who received NO lupron depot. All groups received the polychemotherapy regimens CAVPE, CVPP, ABVD, TAMO, ARA-C, and MTT.

After treatment, Group A patients had normal onset of periods between 12 and 18 years of age, normal menstruation, and normal ovulatory cycles, and three became pregnant. After treatment, Group B patients continued with normal menses, and two patients became pregnant. Group C patients no longer had periods because of decreased estrogen production despite adequate stimulatory hormones. <b>They concluded that GnRH analogs [lupron depot] before and during polychemotherapy protect ovarian function and fertility. A larger study needs to be done.</b> Copyright 2001 Academic Press. Controlled clinical trial 
&&url PMID: 11371127

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