Triptorelin doesn't prevent chemo-induced ovarian failure

(HealthDay)—Triptorelin plus norethisterone (GnRHa) does not prevent chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) in young patients with lymphoma, according to a study published online May 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Isabelle Demeestere, M.D., Ph.D., from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, and colleagues reported the final analysis of a cohort of 129 patients with lymphoma who were randomized to receive GnRHa or norethisterone alone (control) during chemotherapy. After two, three, four, and five to seven years of follow-up, ovarian function and fertility were reported. Overall, 67 patients (26.21 ± 0.64 years of age) had available data after a median follow-up of 5.33 and 5.58 years in the GnRHa and control groups, respectively.

The researchers found that the risk of POF was significantly increased according to age (P = 0.047), the conditioning regimen for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (P = 0.002), and the cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide >5 g/m² (P = 0.019); the risk was not increased with co-administration of GnRHa during chemotherapy (odds ratio, 0.702; P = 0.651). Both groups had similar ovarian reserve, evaluated using anti-Müllerian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. In the GnRHa and control groups, 53 and 43 percent, respectively, achieved pregnancy (P = 0.467).

"These results reopen the debate about the drug's benefit in that it should not be recommended as standard for fertility preservation in patients with lymphoma," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry; triptorelin was provided by the Ipsen Pharmaceutical Group.

Copyright © 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.