Language
English
Publication Date
12-1-2025
Journal
F&S Reports
DOI
10.1016/j.xfre.2025.09.005
PMID
41473573
PMCID
PMC12746870
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
9-15-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Objective: To study the reproductive impact of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in cis-females with melanoma.
Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study that examined the reproductive outcomes of female patients exposed to systemic ICI therapy.
Subjects: Cis-female patients, aged 18-40 years, with advanced-stage melanoma and no prior sterilization procedures or exposure to other systemic antineoplastic therapies who underwent treatment with systemic ICI therapy.
Exposure: Systemic ICI treatment as first-line, only-line therapy for advanced-stage melanoma.
Main outcome measures: Menstrual cycle data, contraceptive use, antimüllerian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone values, and reproductive outcomes (occurrence of pregnancy) during and after ICI exposure.
Results: There were 1,755 female patients with melanoma, aged 18-40 years, evaluated at MD Anderson Cancer Center between the years of 2015 and 2022. We identified 49 cis-females who met inclusion criteria. The most common treatment regimen was nivolumab (44.9%). Among 24 patients employing nonhormonal contraception, 79.2% reported regular menstrual cycle length throughout ICI therapy, with amenorrhea attributed to pregnancy or hypophysitis observed in the minority. Eight patients had a total of nine spontaneous conceptions, with two occurring during ICI therapy and seven after therapy. Limited availability of antimüllerian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone values precluded conclusive analysis of laboratory markers.
Conclusion: Study findings suggest minimal short-term reproductive effects of ICI therapy, with most patients maintaining regular menstrual cycles and no occurrences of primary ovarian insufficiency observed. This study contributes reassuring insights into the short-term reproductive effects of ICI therapy, highlighting the preservation of ovarian function and menstrual regularity.
Keywords
Immune checkpoint inhibitor, oncofertility, melanoma, immunotherapy
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Rhodes, Quinn; Woodard, Terri L; Detti, Laura; et al., "Reproductive Impact of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Women With Melanoma" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7367.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7367