Reproductive ability in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult Hodgkin lymphoma: a review

BACKGROUND

Owing to a growing number of young and adolescent Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors, awareness of (long-term) adverse effects of anticancer treatment increases. The risk of impaired reproductive ability is of great concern given its impact on quality of life. There is currently no review available on fertility after childhood HL treatment.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The aim of this narrative review was to summarize existing literature on different aspects of reproductive function in male and female childhood, adolescent, and young adult HL survivors.

SEARCH METHODS

PubMed and EMBASE were searched for articles evaluating fertility in both male and female HL survivors aged <25 years at diagnosis. In females, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), acute ovarian failure, menstrual cycle, FSH, and pregnancy/live births were evaluated. In males, semen-analysis, serum FSH, inhibin B, LH, testosterone, and reports on pregnancy/live births were included. There was profound heterogeneity among studies and a lack of control groups; therefore, no meta-analyses could be performed. Results were presented descriptively and the quality of studies was not assessed individually.

OUTCOMES

After screening, 75 articles reporting on reproductive markers in childhood or adolescent HL survivors were included. Forty-one papers reported on 5057 female HL survivors. The incidence of POI was 6-34% (median 9%; seven studies). Signs of diminished ovarian reserve or impaired ovarian function were frequently seen (low AMH 55-59%; median 57%; two studies. elevated FSH 17-100%; median 53%; seven studies). Most survivors had regular menstrual cycles. Fifty-one studies assessed fertility in 1903 male HL survivors. Post-treatment azoospermia was highly prevalent (33-100%; median 75%; 29 studies). Long-term follow-up data were limited, but reports on recovery of semen up to 12 years post-treatment exist. FSH levels were often elevated with low inhibin B (elevated FSH 0-100%; median 51.5%; 26 studies. low inhibin B 19-50%; median 45%; three studies). LH and testosterone levels were less evidently affected (elevated LH 0-57%, median 17%; 21 studies and low testosterone 0-43%; median 6%; 15 studies). In both sexes, impaired reproductive ability was associated with a higher dose of cumulative chemotherapeutic agents and pelvic radiotherapy. The presence of abnormal markers before treatment indicated that the disease itself may also negatively affect reproductive function (Females: AMH<p10 9%; one study and Males: azoospermia 0-50%; median 10%; six studies). Reports on chance to achieve pregnancy during survivorship are reassuring, although studies had their limitations and the results are difficult to evaluate. In the end, a diminished ovarian reserve does not exclude the chance of a live birth, and males with aberrant markers may still be able to conceive.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

This review substantiates the negative effect of HL treatment on gonadal function and therefore young HL survivors should be counseled regarding their future reproductive life, and fertility preservation should be considered. The current level of evidence is insufficient and additional trials on the effects of HL and (current) treatment regimens on reproductive function are needed. In this review, we make a recommendation on reproductive markers that could be assessed and the timing of (repeated) measurements.

Shrunken pore syndrome in childhood cancer survivors treated with potentially nephrotoxic therapy

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of kidney dysfunction. Recently, the shrunken pore syndrome (SPS) has been described, which is characterized by selectively impaired filtration of larger molecules like cystatin C, while filtration of smaller molecules like creatinine is unaltered. It has been associated with increased mortality, even in the presence of a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SPS in CCS exposed to potentially nephrotoxic therapy. In the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS)-LATER 2 Renal study, a nationwide cross-sectional cohort study, 1024 CCS ≥5 years after diagnosis, aged ≥18 years at study, treated between 1963-2001 with nephrectomy, abdominal radiotherapy, total body irradiation, cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, high-dose cyclophosphamide or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation participated, and 500 age- and sex-matched controls form Lifelines. SPS was defined as an eGFR_cys/eGFR_cr ratio <0.6 in the absence of non-GFR determinants of cystatin C and creatinine metabolism (i.e. hyperthyroidism, corticosteroids, underweight). Three pairs of eGFR-equations were used; CKD-EPI_cys/CKD-EPI_cr, CAPA/LMR, and FAS_cys/FAS_age. Median age was 32 years. Although an eGFR_cys/eGFR_cr ratio <0.6 was more common in CCS (1.0%) than controls (0%) based on the CKD-EPI equations, most cases were explained by non-GFR determinants. The prevalence of SPS in CCS was 0.3% (CKD-EPI equations), 0.2% (CAPA/LMR) and 0.1% (FAS equations), and not increased compared to controls. CCS treated with nephrotoxic therapy are not at increased risk for SPS compared to controls. Yet, non-GFR determinants are more common and should be taken into account when estimating GFR.