The authors demonstrated that there were able to select and isolate germ cells from leukemic mice utilizing florescent activated cell sorting utilizing 2 surface markers. Germ cells were then transplanted into mice that had been treated with alkalating agents to destroy their endogenous germ cells. Mice did not develop leukemia and were able to initiate pregnancy.

Editorial Comment: This work demonstrates the potential to develop techniques to obtain germ cells from prepubertal boys prior to chemotherapy and repopulate the testes with germ cells when cured of malignancy. This population should be differentiated from the postpubertal patient who receives chemotherapy and may have a return of spermatogenesis or may have sperm that may be acquired utilizing testicular sperm extraction techniques.

Written by Harris M. Nagler, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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