Researchers at the Brigham Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery have demonstrated that cell-based therapy can reverse chemotherapy-induced fertility loss in female mice. The findings were reported in the journal eBioMedicine, highlighting a potential new direction in preserving reproductive health after cancer treatment.
Premature ovarian failure affects about 5% of women and can result from cancer therapies or inherited conditions. As cancer incidence rises among younger populations, chemotherapy-related infertility could become more common. Currently, there are no proven treatments to restore fertility after ovarian failure, making this area of research particularly urgent.
In tests with mice, scientists showed that adult stem cells harvested from ovarian tissue could reestablish normal hormone production following chemotherapy. This hormonal recovery correlated with successful natural mating and live births in the treated animals, suggesting a restoration of functional fertility through stem cell intervention.
Ovarian failure is associated with adverse health effects such as reduced bone density, along with increased risks of cardiovascular and sexual health challenges. Options like synthetic hormone replacement therapy exist, but long-term safety data, especially for adolescents and young adults, remain limited and inconclusive.
At present, there is no clinical proof that the mouse-based approach will translate to humans. Researchers acknowledge uncertainties about the health of offspring born to treated mice and are pursuing long-term follow-up studies to assess the integrity and development of these new generations created through stem cell restoration.
The work underscores a promising line of inquiry in fertility preservation, though translating these results to human patients will require rigorous testing, regulatory review, and careful ethical consideration as the science progresses.