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Review
. 2022 Jul 8;11(14):3983.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11143983.

Effect of Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Treatment on Human Reproductive Health and Sexual Function

Virginia Zamponi  1 , Anna La Salvia  2 , Maria Grazia Tarsitano  3 , Nevena Mikovic  1 , Maria Rinzivillo  4 , Francesco Panzuto  4   5 , Elisa Giannetta  6 , Antongiulio Faggiano  1 , Rossella Mazzilli  1
Affiliations
Review

Effect of Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Treatment on Human Reproductive Health and Sexual Function

Virginia Zamponi et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are characterized by a wide clinical heterogeneity and biological variability, with slow progression and long survival in most cases. Although these tumors can affect young adults, there are few studies that focus on the sexual and reproductive system. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of NEN treatment, including somatostatin analogues (SSA), targeted therapy (Everolimus and Sunitinib), radiolabeled-SSA and chemotherapy, on male and female reproductive systems and sexual function. This narrative review was performed for all available prospective and retrospective studies, case reports and review articles published up to March 2022 in PubMed. To date, few data are available on the impact of SSA on human fertility and most of studies come from acromegalic patients. However, SSAs seem to cross the blood-placental barrier; therefore, pregnancy planning is strongly recommended. Furthermore, the effect of targeted therapy on reproductive function is still undefined. Conversely, chemotherapy has a well-known negative impact on male and female fertility. The effect of temozolomide on reproductive function is still undefined, even if changes in semen parameters after the treatment have been described. Finally, very few data are available on the sexual function of NEN treatment.

Keywords: QoL; fertility; neuroendocrine neoplasms; neuroendocrine tumors; sexual dysfunction; sexual function; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypothesis of SSA impact on male fertility. SSA could negatively impact spermatogenesis through two mechanisms. First, an inhibition of GH, and second, a dose-dependent RNA suppression of the kitl gene, involved in the spermatogenesis process. SSA = Somatostatin analogues; LH = Luteinizing hormone; FSH = Follicle-stimulating hormone; GH = Growth hormone.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hypothesis of SSA role in female fertility and pregnancy. SSA could cause a reduction in GH secretion with a negative impact on the growth and onset of fertility. SSA could induce maternal, placental and potentially relevant neonatal effects (as fetal growth retardation and low birth weight). SSA = Somatostatin analogues; GH = Growth hormone.
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This research received no external funding.
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