title: GnRH agonist therapy to protect ovarian function in young Korean breast cancer patients.
abstract: The increased survival of patients with breast cancer has given rise to other problems associated with the complications of chemotherapy. One major complication is premature ovarian failure, an especially harmful outcome for women of reproductive age. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of GnRH agonist (GnRHa) treatment on protecting ovarian function in young breast cancer patients (30.59+/-5.1 yr) receiving chemotherapy after surgery. Twenty-two women were enrolled and given subcutaneous injections of leuprolide acetate (3.75 mg) every 4 weeks during chemotherapy. Follow-up laboratory tests (luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], and estradiol) were performed 1, 3, and 6 months after chemotherapy. Menstruation patterns and clinical symptoms were followed up for a mean duration of 35.6+/-1.7 months. FSH and LH levels were normal in all patients 6 months after completing chemotherapy (8.0+/-5.3, 4.4+/-2.7 mIU/mL, respectively). During follow-up, none of the patients complained of menopausal symptoms and 81.8% experienced recovery of menstruation. This report is the first trial of GnRHa as a treatment modality to protect ovarian function during adjuvant chemotherapy in young Korean breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young-Ah
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Young Hyuck
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Byung-Koo
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: DooSeok
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D008598:Menstruation; D010050:Ovarian Function Tests; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide