Efficacy and Tolerance of an Ovarian Stimulation Protocol Combining Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Degarelix Acetate in Female Candidates for Fertility Preservation Before Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Recent improvements in freezing techniques have led to the development of fertility preservation techniques for young women diagnosed with cancer. Currently, vitrification of oocytes or embryos after controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) represents the only established method. This COS is based on the daily administration of exogenous Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and an ovulation blockage using Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) antagonists (0.25 mg/d) initiated after approximately 6 days of stimulation and continued until ovulation is triggered.

In addition to requiring 15 days, COS induces supraphysiological hyperestradiolaemia (5-10 times normal) which can be problematic in case of hormone-sensitive tumors such as breast cancer. The majority of oncology teams accept, in very specific situations (particularly when the tumor has been surgically removed), this ovarian stimulation, because the expected benefits of fertility preservation far outweigh the risks. However, everyone agrees that it would be more comfortable to be able to offer vitrification of oocytes and/or embryos using ovarian stimulation without increasing estrogen levels.

Therefore, the limitation of serum estradiol concentrations during stimulation represents an important issue. To this end, stimulation protocols combining aromatase inhibitors have been proposed. Inhibition of the P450 aromatase enzyme in the granulosa cells of stimulated follicles prevents the conversion of androgens to estrogens. However, the teratogenic risk of these molecules, although discussed, limits their use in the indication of COS. Recently, a new "natos" protocol was proposed to stimulate the ovaries while maintaining physiological estradiolaemia, without using aromatase inhibitors. Thus, the administration of high doses of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) antagonists (3 to 6 injections of 0.25 mg/day) from the beginning of COS, would allow a strong Luteinizing Hormone (LH) deprivation, thus limiting the production of androgens according to the 2 cells - 2 gonadotropins theory. In the absence of a precursor, estradiolemia remains at physiological ranges during the total duration of COS. However, the relative heaviness of a protocol combining up to 8 daily injections limits its use in young women who are candidates for fertility preservation.

Investigators therefore propose to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a new natos-like COS protocol based on the administration of a long-acting GnRH antagonist, degarelix. This drug is currently off-label for women.

The expected duration of the research is 14 months and participation will be 2 months.

After signature of the consent, during the first visit (oncofertility counseling), the the research (consultations and examinations) will be carried out within the Antoine Béclère hospital. All visits and examinations performed are part of routine care, except for the injection(s) of degarelix which belongs to the research.

Inclusion visit During the oncofertility consultation, the physician will make sure that the patient can be included in the research. Once the consent has been signed, the doctor will schedule the following visits based on the biological results obtained as part of the usual care.

Research follow-up visits

Stimulation: between the day of oncofertility counseling and the following 7 days, the doctor will check that patients are in the early follicular phase of the cycle, Degarelix injection: 1 injection, under the skin (possibly renewable after 5-7 days if the serum LH is ≥2 IU / L and / or the estradiol is ≥400 pg / mL), Concomitant initiation of ovarian stimulation by administration of recombinant FSH - Follitropin alfa (usual care). The injections will be given by the patient or a nurse at home, between 7pm and 10pm.

Stimulation follow-up visit #1 :

After 5 days of ovarian stimulation, transvaginal pelvic ultrasound (counting of ovarian follicles and measurement of their diameters) and blood sampling for serum hormone assays (estradiol, LH, progesterone) will be performed as part of the usual care.

Stimulation follow-up visits #2 and #3 Visits #2 and #3: transvaginal pelvic ultrasound (counting of ovarian follicles and measurement of their diameters) and a blood test for serum hormone assays (estradiol, LH, progesterone) will be required to monitor the response to stimulation, as part of routine care.

Visits are repeated until 4 follicles 16 to 20 mm in diameter are obtained, which is the criterion for ovulation trigger using 1 injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) (Ovitrelle 250 mcg, SC) (usual care). Thus visits #2 and #3 are systematic. One or two additional visits with the same examinations may sometimes be necessary if the trigger criteria are not met.

Thirty-six hours after Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) , oocyte retrieval will be performed.

Visit on the day of the oocyte retrieval:

Patients will have a venous blood sample for serum hormone assays (estradiol, LH, progesterone) as part of the usual care.

Oocyte collection will be scheduled, and those which are mature will then be frozen (by vitrification) or fertilized in vitro in case of embryo freezing.

Visit following egg retrieval:

A blood test for serum hormone assays (estradiol, LH, progesterone) will be performed 3-4 days after oocyte retrieval.

End of research visit Participants will be contacted by phone 2 months after the injection of degarelix (Firmagon®) to make sure they are fine.