Gonadal function of beta-thalassemics following stem cell transplantation conditioned with myeloablative and reduced intensity regimens

Gonadal dysfunction is a complication following stem cell transplantation (SCT). There have been no reports of gonadal function in stem-cell-transplanted thalassemic survivors who received a reduced intensity conditioning regimen (RIC). We evaluated gonadal function in 47 β-thalassemic patients following SCT with either myeloablative or reduced intensity regimen. Thirty-six patients received a myeloablative regimen, the remaining 11 patients had an RIC regimen. Their median (range) age was 13.2 (5.9-25.8) years. There were 29 patients (62%) with gonadal dysfunction (26 with primary gonadal dysfunction and three with gonadotropin deficiency). Comparisons between patients who received myeloablative and RIC regimens, revealed no differences in gonadal dysfunction (56% vs. 82%, p=0.113, respectively). In conclusion, our study demonstrated high frequency of gonadal dysfunction in these patients. Even after receiving RIC, gonadal dysfunction was very common. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report gonadal function in children and adolescents with β-thalassemia disease who were pre-transplanted with RIC.