International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Women undergoing chemotherapy for cancer could see their fertility saved with the help of a new leukaemia drug, it has been reported.

Researchers claim to have discovered a biological mechanism which explains why such treatments can bring on the menopause, and also a way of blocking this process.

The drug, called Imatini, may give new hope to female cancer sufferers hoping to conceive.

According to Dr Stefania Gonfloni and colleagues at the University of Rome, who carried out the study, the findings have "considerable medical implications".

They say further follow-up testing is now required to assess the full potential of the new treatment, in order that it can be administered to cancer sufferers in the future.

Last week, research conducted by scientists at the University of Cincinnati, US, indicated that a specific gene variant may increase the risk of particular individuals developing cancer.

The CHEK2 variant is part of a DNA damage response pathway that can influence whether or not cancers develop, it was claimed.