Sertoli cell function after chemotherapy in boys with hematologic malignancies

AROZARENA DE GAMBOA M,; SANZONE M; BEDECARRÁS , PATRICIA; BERENSTEIN ARIEL; AVERSA L; PRADA SILVINA; MARJORIE MORALES BAZURTO; KANNEMAN ANA; MARIA G. ROPELATO; REY RA; GRINSPON R P; BARGMAN GRACIELA; GUTIERREZ M.; GOTTLIEB S.; BERGADÁ , IGNACIO

Viena

Congreso; 58th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE); 2019

ESPE

Introduction: Gonadotoxicity associated with chemotherapy of hematologic malignancies has been described mainly in adults, focused on the sensitivity of germ cells. Little attention has been placed on Sertoli cells during childhood and puberty, even though Sertoli cell development is essential for adult spermatogenesis.Objective: To assess function of the pituitary-testicular axis, with emphasis on Sertoli cell function, in boys and adolescents who received chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis including 97 patients (58 treated before age 10 yr and 39 treated between 10 and 18 yr), 83 with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), 5 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 9 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Serum LH, FSH, testosterone and AMH (as a direct marker of Sertoli cell function) were used as endpoints.Results: Cross-sectional analysis included 61 patients with one AMH measurement between 1 to 8 years after the end of treatment. 37 were treated before age 10 yrs and evaluated at 9.4 yrs (5.7-14.9). No patient had AMH 2 SDS and 3 (8.1%) had FSH >2 SDS. Twenty-four patients were treated after age 10 and evaluated at 15.3 yrs (11.6-20.1). No patient had AMH 2 SDS and 8 (33.3%) had FSH >2 SDS. No patient had testosterone 2 SDS was higher in the group of patients treated at >10 yrs (p:0.03 and 0.008 respectively).Conclusion: Sertoli cell function is not affected by chemotherapy in boys with hematologic malignancies. During follow up high gonadotrophins are more prevalent in boys treated at pubertal age. In some patients, high FSH may be due to germ cell damage and high LH with normal testosterone may reflect a compensated Leydig dysfunction.