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The Oncofertility Consortium takes a unique, interdisciplinary approach to fertility preservation in patients with cancer. Experts in diverse fields from across the nation have come together within the Consortium to share ideas and work together toward a set of common goals. The Oncofertility Consortium was initiated at 5 core centers, each of which brings a set of strengths and skills to the overall effort:
Northwestern University has a long history in reproductive research and medicine, with researchers and clinicians working towards a greater understanding of the mechanisms of normal fertility and infertility in both men and women. The interests of Northwestern’s Consortium researchers is broad, ranging from developing new methods to preserving and growing human follicles in vitro, to an interdisciplinary inquiry into the sociological, ethical, and economic implications of oncofertility, culminating in the development of a new curriculum to train the next generation of oncofertility scholars. Northwestern University also serves as the administrative core to the Oncofertility Consortium, providing support, vision, and key resources as well as facilitating communication and collaboration between the member centers.
Northwestern University Website
Consortium researchers at the University of California, San Diego are finding ways to strengthen the collaboration and communication between oncologists and reproductive endocrinologists in order to provide cancer patients with the best possible options for preserving their fertility before they begin treatment. Consortium members also spearheaded the creation of the National Physicians Cooperative, which acts as the interface between basic science researchers and cancer patients. Researchers are also working with their colleagues at Northwestern to better understand the social and ethical implications of oncofertility.
University of California, San Diego
Consortium efforts at the University of Pennsylvania are focused on the development of cutting-edge training programs for reproductive endocrinologists and residents in the new discipline of oncofertility. Other researchers are investigating methods for measuring fertility in young cancer patients.
Investigators at the Oregon Health & Science University are recognized worldwide for their contributions to reproductive research in the nonhuman primate. The Oregon group was the first to use orthotopically transplanted ovarian tissue to achieve a successful pregnancy in primates, and is now collaborating with others within the Consortium to develop methods for preserving and growing primate follicles in the lab.
Oregon Health & Science University
University of Missouri Consortium researchers are working with other Consortium members to find novel ways to protect cryopreserved ovarian tissues from injury during thawing. This collaboration is crucial to ultimately bringing advances in oncofertility research into the clinic.
