Outcomes of ovarian stimulation and fertility preservation in breast cancer patients with different hormonal receptor profiles

Purpose To evaluate fertility preservation outcomes in breast cancer women with different hormonal receptor profiles before oncological treatment. Methods The study population included women with a diagnosis of breast cancer who underwent fertility preservation from 2009 until 2018 at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital. Stimulation parameters and fertility preservation outcomes were compared among the following receptor-specific profile groups: (1) estrogen receptor positive (ER+) versus estrogen receptor negative (ER-), (2) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) versus estrogen and progesterone receptor positive (ER+/PR+), and (3) TNBC versus non-TNBC. Primary outcome was the total number of mature oocytes. Secondary outcomes included the number of retrieved oocytes, the peak estradiol level, and the number of follicles > 14 mm on the final oocyte maturation trigger day. Results A total of 155 cycles were included in the final analysis. These were divided into the exposure groups of ER+ (n = 97), ER- (n = 58), ER+/PR+ (n = 85), TNBC (n = 57), and non-TNBC (n = 98). Cycle outcomes revealed similar number of retrieved oocytes and follicles > 14 mm on the trigger day. Women with TNBC had significantly lower number of mature oocytes compared with those with ER + PR+ (7 (5-11) versus 9 (7-15); p = 0.02) and non-TNBC (7 (5-11) versus 9 (7-16); p = 0.01) status. Triple-negative breast cancer profile was associated with a significant reduction in the chance of developing over 10 mature oocytes (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19-0.92). Conclusion Among the different hormonal receptor profiles in breast cancer, the TNBC subtype has a negative effect on fertility preservation outcomes.