Tissue engineering strategies for preservation of fertility in male patients with cancer

Infertility is one of the common problems in cancer patients, especially in men. Cancer treatment process often results in stopping sperm production. In adult boys, the method of collecting sperm and keeping it in the sperm bank is a non-invasive method performed over several years. Sperm Cryopreservation in immature boys, without spermatogenesis, is not feasible. Cryopreservation of immature testicular tissue (ITT) is a good option for these patients. Available data about transplantation of cryopreserved human immature testicular tissue are based on a few xenotransplantation experiments, allo- or autotransplantation. Animal studies indicated that ITT will be improved in vascular transplantation conditions in order to reduce the loss of spermatogonial cells and better maintaining of spermatogonial stem cell. Different strategies have been evaluated to increase testicular tissue transplantation outcomes and diminish the period of hypoxia and ischemic damage that occurs during the first 5 days. Also some strategies such as using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cells or tissue encapsulation and local drug delivery, the results of the transplantation will be improved. Tissue engineering strategies can be useful as a new approach. Developing an artificial testis, using bioengineered and three-dimensional bioprinted scaffolds is one of these strategies. Tissue engineering strategies can be useful to maintain the fertility of men with cancer

Keywords:

Tissue engineering , Fertility , Cancer treatment