Protecting ovaries from chemotherapy to preserve fertility
Characterization and prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Damage to Ovarian Reserve
This work looks for ways to prevent chemotherapy from damaging the ovaries in women who may lose fertility because of cancer treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284064 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I were facing cancer treatment, this project aims to understand how chemo and aging harm the eggs in my ovaries and to find ways to stop that damage. The team studies human ovarian tissue and laboratory models to see how DNA breaks and problems with BRCA1 and the ATM pathway cause follicles to die. They are testing protective approaches such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and molecular interventions that boost DNA-repair pathways. The goal is to turn these findings into treatments that keep ovaries working longer and reduce infertility after cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be reproductive-age women facing gonadotoxic cancer treatments, especially those with breast cancer or known BRCA1/2 mutations who are concerned about future fertility.
Not a fit: People who are already postmenopausal, already have irreversible ovarian failure, or are not undergoing gonadotoxic therapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that protect ovarian reserve and reduce infertility or early menopause after chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical and human-tissue studies, including work showing S1P can prevent follicle death, support this approach, but clinical interventions to preserve ovarian reserve remain limited.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oktay, Kutluk H — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Oktay, Kutluk H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.