FertiTOX®
A platform for gonadotoxicity of cancer therapies

Welcome

Cancer therapies can harm the gonads. In high risk situations fertility preservation treatments such as freezing of oocytes, ovarian tissue, sperm and testicular tissue might be required. However, data about the risks of specific cancer therapies and the necessity to perform fertility preservation treatments is very limited.

Therefore the platform FertiTOX® will be set up to present systematically reviewed published data on the gonadotoxicity as well as prospectively collected data, collected in 3 countries by around 60 centres in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, having started data collection in 2024. These centres mainly belong to the network FertiPROTEKT®. The platform will be set up in 2026.

Participating countries

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Participating centres

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Included patients

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Study team

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Prof. Michael von Wolff
Coordinator and FertiTOX Switzerland
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Prof. Ariane Germeyer
FertiTOX Germany
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PD Dr. Bettina Böttcher
FertiTOX Austria
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Irene Marcu, PhD
FertiTOX Switzerland
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Dr. Susanna Weidlinger
Systematic reviews
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Dr. Janna Pape
Systematic reviews
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Dr. Isotta Magaton
REDCap registry
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Prof. Nicole Sänger
President FertiPROTEKT
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PD Dr. Verena Nordhoff
Embryologist
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Marie Roumet, PhD
Statistician

Study protocol and documents for the study

First, previously published data is systematically analysed regarding the gonadotoxicity of chemo and radiotherapies in cancer patients.

Second, a prospective cohort study is performed to collect the following data in the study registry REDCap: ovarian function is evaluated by analysing AMH, FSH, LH and E2 concentrations and testicular function by analysing sperm parameters and total testosterone, just before and 12-15 months after the end of the gonadotoxic therapy (short term fertility). These fertility parameters, as well as the history of conceptions, will be collected 5 and 10 years after gonadotoxic therapies (long term fertility).

Furthermore, proportion of patients undergoing fertility preserving methods, efficacy and satisfaction with these methods will be analysed.

Third, the data will be merged to create the internet based data platform FertiTOX. The platform will be structured according to the ICD classification of cancer diseases and will be easily accessible using a specific App.

A description of the study has been submitted and will be found in the website menu “Papers published”.

Material such as paper versions of the REDCap study registry can also be downloaded (see PDF files below):

  • REDCap registry: Documentation in females before gonadotoxic therapy
  • REDCap registry: Documentation in males before gonadotoxic therapy
  • REDCap registry: Documentation in females 12-15 months after the end of gonadotoxic therapy
  • REDCap registry: Documentation in males 12-15 months after the end of gonadotoxic therapy

The paper versions can be used in the outpatient clinic to collect data to be added to the registry later.

Participating Centres

The restrospective data analysis is performed in the fertility centre in Inselspital Bern, Switzerland. Data for the prospective cohort study are collected in 15 centres in Germany, 21 centres in Switzerland and 1 centre in Austria. The complete list of the participating centres can be downloaded here.

Other centres are invited to contribute to the study if the study is accepted by their local ethical committee and if they add their data to the study registry. In case of interest, please contact the coordinator Michael von Wolff.

Sponsors

Several sponsors have provided financial support for 4 years (2023 to 2026).

The project is mainly sponsored by public foundations such as the Swiss cancer league with a grant of CHF 349.000,-  (Grant number KLS-5650-08-2022).
A further competitive grant application has been submitted to the German “Deutsche Krebshilfe”.

The project is also financially supported by some companies.

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Theramex Switzerland GmbH
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Ferring Pharmaceuticals SA

Papers and Abstracts published and submitted

In this section we will upload all papers which have been submitted and published as a result of the project FertiTOX.

Evaluation of gonadotoxicity of cancer therapies to improve counselling of patients regarding fertility and fertility preservation measures: Protocol for a retrospective systematic data analysis and a prospective cohort study

This paper, accepted by JMIR Research Protocols, describes the project “FertiTOX”. It will be published soon.

A systematic review of the gonadotoxicity of osteosarcoma and Ewing´s sarcoma chemotherapies in postpubertal females and males

This paper, submitted in 2023, is a systematic review of published data on the gonadotoxicity in osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma patients. It will be available soon.

Systematic review of the gonadotoxicity and risk of infertility of soft tissue sarcoma chemotherapies in pre- and postpubertal females and males

Abstract submitted for publication.

Impact on fertility outcomes in survivors after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for benign and malignant hematologic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract submitted to ESHRE 2024 (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, 40th Annual Meeting).

Oncological treatments have limited effects on the fertility prognosis in testicular cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract submitted to ESHRE 2024 (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, 40th Annual Meeting).

Long-term effects on fertility after treatment of childhood, adolescents & young adults’ central nervous system cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract submitted for publication.

Further abstracts of systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses to be uploaded in 2024

  • Breast cancer
  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Rectal/Sigmoid cancer
  • Leukaemia
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Contact us

The project has been initiated and is coordinated by Michael von Wolff.
The representative and contact person for Germany is Ariane Germeyer, for Switzerland Michael von Wolff and for Austria Bettina Böttcher.

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Prof. Michael von Wolff
University Women's Hospital
Friedbühlstrasse 19 
CH-3010 Bern / Switzerland
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Prof. Ariane Germeyer
University Women's Hospital
Im Neuenheimer Feld 672 
69120 Heidelberg / Germany
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PD Dr. Bettina Böttcher
Medical University of Innsbruck
Anichstrasse 35 
A-6020 / Austria