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Women: New Drugs May Protect Fertility From Chemotherapy
June 8, 2005 1:01 a.m. EST
Danielle George - All Headline News Staff Reporter

New York, NY (AHN) - Chemotherapy can damage the ovaries, possibly causing a permanent loss of fertility. Now, new research shows that treatment with two drugs can protect the ovaries from the toxic effects of chemotherapy.

The drugs, known as D-Trp6-GNRHa and cetrorelix, work by blocking the hormone signals that stimulate the ovaries to function.

As a result, the ovaries become more like those seen in girls who have not yet reached puberty.

Previous reports have shown that the ovaries of these prepubertal girls are more resistant to the damaging effects of chemotherapy.

Dr. Marta Snajderova, from University Hospital-Motol in Prague, Czech Republic, noted that "With our protocol, we shorten this time significantly."

In the article, Snajderova went on to say that , "these preliminary results are very promising."

If confirmed in a larger population, this treatment protocol could be routinely considered for fertility preservation in young fertile women receiving chemotherapy where there is a high risk of permanent ovary damage and loss of fertility, she added.