The protective effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) against ovarian chemotherapy induced-toxicity have not completely been demonstrated and the impact of chemotherapy on ovarian dysfunction remains unclear. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficiency of GnRHa and to determine whether GnRHa could influence the long-term survival rate of patients with cancer. A total of 12 clinical randomized controlled trials were included, consisting of 1,413 patients who were divided into the GnRHa group (n=705) and the control group (n=708). The meta-analysis revealed that GnRHa may significantly improve the menstrual function recovery rate in patients who received chemotherapy [RR=1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09-1.54, P=0.004] and reduce the rate of premature ovarian failure (RR=0.47, 95% CI=0.31-0.71, P=0.0004). However, it had no effect on the pregnancy rate (RR=1.40, 95% CI=0.98-1.98, P=0.06), on the rate of disease-free survival and overall survival of patients (disease-free survival rate: RR=1.04, 95% CI=0.95-1.13, P=0.40; overall survival rate: RR=1.02, 95% CI=0.90-1.16, P=0.72). In conclusion, GnRHa may reduce chemotherapy-induced ovarian dysfunction without compromising or influencing the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy.
Keywords: chemotherapy; gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist; meta-analysis; ovarian dysfunction.