Eliminating malignant cells from cryopreserved ovarian tissue is possible in leukaemia patients. (17th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soares, Michelle; Saussoy, Pascale; Maskens, Mathilde; Reul, Hélène; Amorim, Christiani A.; Donnez, Jacques; Dolmans, Marie‐Madeleine
• Is Part Of: British journal of haematology. Volume 178:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2017-04-17
• Subjects: Oncofertility -- leukaemia -- ovarian metastasis -- artificial ovary -- minimal disseminated disease -- fertility preservation; Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1048

Abstract

Summary: Reimplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue (OT) can successfully restore ovarian function in young cancer patients after gonadotoxic treatment. However, for patients with leukaemia, there is a risk of malignant cell transmission. Our objective was to evaluate minimal disseminated disease in OT from leukaemia patients and test a follicle isolation technique to obtain disease‐free follicle suspensions. Cryopreserved OT from 12 leukaemia patients was thawed and analysed by histology and long‐term xenografting in immunosuppressed mice. In 10 patients, follicles were isolated from OT, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on tissue, digested ovarian suspensions and isolated follicle suspensions to investigate leukaemic cell presence. Mean patient age was 17·1 years. An average of 3·2 follicles were isolated per mm² of cortex. Xenografting of OT induced leukaemic masses in 2/12 mice. PCR identified leukaemic cell presence in 66% of OT. Malignant cells were also detected in digested ovarian suspensions. However, none of the follicle samples (>2300 follicles tested) showed any malignant cell presence after washing. This study demonstrates that it is possible to recover large numbers of viable follicles from cryopreserved OT of leukaemia patients. All isolated and washed follicle suspensions tested negative for leukaemic cells, giving leukaemia patients genuine hope of fertility restoration.