Female fertility following dose-adjusted EPOCH-R chemotherapy in primary mediastinal B-cell lymphomas

Leuk Lymphoma. 2016 Jul;57(7):1616-24. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1118476. Epub 2016 May 17.

Abstract

We assessed fertility/gonadal function in premenopausal women treated with dose-adjusted EPOCH-Rituximab for untreated primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL). Eligible patents were ≤ 50 years and premenopausal. Serial reproductive histories were obtained and hormonal assays were performed on serum samples before, at the end of treatment and 4-18 months later. Twenty-eight eligible women had a median age (range) of 31 (21-50) years and were followed a median of 7.3 years. Of 23 patients who completed a questionnaire, 19 (83%) were and four were not menstruating prior to chemotherapy. Amenorrhea developed in 12 patients during chemotherapy. At > 1-year follow-up, 14/19 (74%) patients were menstruating, all < 35 years old, and six (43%) of these patients delivered healthy children. Hormonal assays showed ovarian dysfunction during chemotherapy in all patients with varying recovery at 4-18 months after treatment. Fertility was preserved in most women with ovarian failure confined to patients > 40 years old.

Keywords: Aggressive B-cell lymphoma; DA-EPOCH-R; fertility; fertility following chemotherapy; primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / physiopathology*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Menstruation / drug effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / adverse effects
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / adverse effects
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Biomarkers
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • R-CHOP protocol
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone

Supplementary concepts

  • EPOCH protocol