Repurposing approved drugs to protect girls’ fertility during cancer treatment
Official title: Repurposing drugs for fertility preservation
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11454759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to test existing drugs that can protect the ovaries of young female cancer patients from chemotherapy damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $448,789 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD120605-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Girls and young women who are at risk of chemotherapy-induced POI and infertility could benefit if translated to clinical use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for chemotherapy-related ovarian damage or those without access to future trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
As more children survive cancer, preserving their fertility becomes a priority. The study will test already-approved drugs that mimic a hormone’s signal to protect ovarian eggs during chemotherapy, using cell cultures and mouse models. If successful, this approach could reduce the risk of infertility and long-term health effects tied to early loss of ovarian function. The work includes lab tests on granulosa cells, ovarian tissue, and animal models to see if the drugs lessen follicle loss while chemotherapy is given.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the treatments could help preserve fertility and hormonal health for girls undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed AMH-related signaling can protect ovaries in models, supporting translation to human studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meinsohn, Marie-Charlotte C. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Meinsohn, Marie-Charlotte C.
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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.