Use of in vitro fertilization programs to preserve reproductive material in patients with breast cancer
21.05.2025
16:48
Russian researchers conducted a study aimed to refine methodologies for implementing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF), to preserve reproductive material in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. A comparative analysis of various ovarian stimulation protocols was conducted along with an evaluation of the impact of incorporating aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on folliculogenesis and oocyte yield.
The results of this study demonstrated that treatment efficacy, as measured by the number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes, depended on the patient’s ovarian reserve and was independent of the menstrual cycle phase at which stimulation was initiated. The administration of letrozole at doses of 2.5 mg and 5 mg yielded comparable outcomes in oocyte retrieval; however, the 5 mg dose was associated with significantly lower preovulatory estradiol levels. In contrast, the inclusion of tamoxifen in gonadotropin-based stimulation protocols resulted in suboptimal outcomes, with a trend toward reduced oocyte yield and quality.
Thus, the implementation of IVF protocols in patients with breast cancer should be guided by a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates both oncological and reproductive parameters. The number of oocytes retrieved is primarily determined by the ovarian reserve and is unaffected by the timing of stimulation initiation during the menstrual cycle. Aromatase inhibitors are the preferred pharmacological agents for ovarian stimulation in this patient population, whereas the use of tamoxifen is associated with inferior outcomes, including higher preovulatory estradiol levels and reduced oocyte quantity and quality.
