DEFYING THE DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE IN THE MOUSE OVARY

Premature ovarian failure and infertility are major adverse effects of cancer therapies. Understanding the molecular basis of such effects within the quiescent primordial follicle population is essential for identifying a more effective treatment to preserve fertility of female patients. We investigate in vivo the outcomes of different chemotherapeutics drugs on the ovarian reserve. We evaluate the protective effect of specific kinase inhibitors targeting the apical DDR kinases. Our results show that co-treatment with small-molecule exerts protective effects on the ovarian reserve assaulted by chemotherapy. This, in turn, prolonges the fertility of the treated mice. In short, we discuss the mechanisms/pathways induced in the ovary by different chemotherapeutic drugs. Our studies provide compelling evidence for the development of effective ferto-adjuvants to protect ovarian reserve from the damaging effect of cancer therapies