Short Term Genetic Effects of Chemotherapy on Male Germ Cells

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will determine the short-term effects of chemotherapy on sperm DNA.The study involves the collection of semen sample through ejaculation prior to initiation of chemotherapy and up to three time points after initiation of chemotherapy.

Detailed Description
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While medical advances in the area of cancer treatment have successfully improved the overall detection and treatment of many cancers affecting men and women alike, these very treatment modalities can adversely affect their reproductive capacity. Certain types of chemotherapy, such as alkylating agents, are notorious for placing patients at high risk for infertility. For men, the best recommendation for patients undergoing such therapy is to cryopreserve semen prior to initiation of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, this may not always occur. Some patients have been noted to present to discuss fertility preservation options after completing their first cycle of chemotherapy. In this situation, they will most likely still have sperm which was produced prior to chemotherapy that can be collected even if the stem cells producing the sperm have been damaged or destroyed. However, there are no national guidelines addressing this particular situation. Typically, physicians may advise men to avoid conception anywhere from three months to two years after the final dose of chemotherapy to ensure all exposed germ cells have passed through and only newly formed germ cells remain. It is crucial to further assess the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on male germ cells in the short window of time between exposure and potential sterility. If a safe time frame could be determined to collect sperm after a single dose of chemotherapy, then these men could be given a second chance to retain their fertility potential.

Official Title
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Short Term Genetic Effects of Chemotherapy on Male Germ Cells

Conditions
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Cancer

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Semen collection and analysis


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Be scheduled to undergo treatment with chemotherapeutic agents for a medical indication Be able to produce semen samples prior to chemotherapy and one week after first round of chemotherapy Exclusion Criteria: Men who have previously been treated with chemotherapeutic agents. Men with significant oligospermia or azospermia.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Men receiving chemotherapy<br>Semen collection and analysis | Procedure: Semen collection and analysis<br>* Semen sample will be collected prior to the initiation of chemotherapy and one week after the first round of chemotherapy.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the differences in DNA between sperm collected before chemotherapy to sperm collected after the first round of chemotherapy using whole exome sequencing. | Sperm count test analyzes the health and viability of sperm, as it takes into account sperm number, motility, and morphology. | 5 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| changes in sperm quality from sperm collected before the initiation of chemotherapy to sperm collected after first round of chemotherapy using sperm count test. | Sperm count test analyzes the health and viability of sperm, as it takes into account sperm number, motility, and morphology. | 5 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Sperm, Male infertility, Germ cells, Chemotherapy