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

Abstract

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.

Fertility preservation in adult male patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Furthermore, this difference also may result from various ART approaches. Some studies have also reported decreased sperm counts and anti-Müllerian hormone concentration among lymphoma patients prior to treatment, suggesting that spermatogenesis was also affected by the disease ( Pallotti et al , 2021 ; Drechsel et al , 2023 ).…”

Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma in Adolescents and Young Adults

“…Infertility risks are primarily associated with exposure to higher cumulative doses of alkylating agents, especially procarbazine (with BEACOPP), infradiaphragmatic RT, and after ASCT. 69 Although novel therapies including Bv and immune checkpoint inhibitors improve PFS and OS and the potential to decrease exposure to conventional chemotherapy and RT, these agents are associated with unique adverse effects. Lower incidence of severe peripheral neuropathy and infection associated with Bv have been noted in AYAs compared with older adults.…”

“…Infertility risks are primarily associated with exposure to higher cumulative doses of alkylating agents, especially procarbazine (with BEACOPP), infradiaphragmatic RT, and after ASCT. 69…”

Future perspectives of radiation therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma: Risk‐adapted, response‐adapted, and safer than before

“…There is a peak in cHL incidence in adolescents aged 15–19 years, accounting for 6%–7% of all childhood malignancies 25 . Nowadays after chemotherapy or chemo‐RT, in this setting, the 5‐year OS overcomes the 90% 26–28 but the post‐actinic long‐term toxicities in the survivors are not negligible (i.e., second malignancies, cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction and infertility) 29,30 . The treatment protocols, that are different from the adult one, 31 are chosen not only on the basis of the risk categories (including tumor stage, bulk of disease and the presence of B symptoms) and the analysis of the ad‐interim response by a positron emission tomography and/or measuring metabolic tumor volume 32 .…”