Irini Koka: The first Greek woman to become pregnant with cryoprevention and ovarian tissue transplantation

In the 6th month and happily the first woman in Greece left after ovarian tissue. 39-year-old Irene Coke is an example for women struggling with cancer In the 6th month of her pregnancy is the first Greek woman to become pregnant after a cold-sustained ovarian tissue transplant, a unique incident for Greek data. This case will be the subject of particular interest, scientific research and commentary at the 4th Panhellenic Conference of Reproductive Medicine on “Innovative Approaches”, as the technical aspects and clinical protocols of this scientific project will be discussed there. This medical achievement was presented at a press conference of the Greek Society for Reproductive Medicine. Her own Odyssey… As has become known, Irene Coca, the woman who today expects with insatiability to bring her child to the world, was diagnosed 16 years ago with haematological cancer, Hodgkins lymphoma, for which she was subjected to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 2013 the specific haematological cancer reappeared, only this time, before making the prescribed therapeutic protocols for the fight against cancer, he intended to resort to cryo-preservation of ovarian tissue in order to defend and maintain its fertility. In 2021 and after her recovery she returned for the transplantation of her cryo-sustained ovarian cortex, in her no-functional ovaries, to restore her fertility. The leading medical event, in terms of surgical part, took place at the GENESIS ATHENS Clinic by qualified doctors and clinical fetalists of the clinic, along with the honorary and substantial presence of a team of qualified doctors from the University Hospital of Norway (Oslo University Hospital), led by Professor and Director of the Department of Reproductive Medicine Peter Zoltan Fedorcsak and the Greek Clinical Embryologist, Director of the Laboratory for Extrasomatic Insemination Maria Biba. Another pioneer of this great effort was that it was broadcast live online from the clinic hall GENESIS ATHENS to 13 public hospitals in the country in order for other Greek doctors to attend the whole process. After 1,5 years of reopening her ovaries and having collected eggs fertilized with her husband’s sperm, Mrs. Coke performed embryo transfer of two embryos to the stemocyst stage on 5 October 2023. Today, she is going through the 24th week of pregnancy. “What I’m living is a miracle…” Apparently moved, Mrs. Irene Koka stated at the press conference: “What I am living is a miracle. I am blessed because I found myself in Mr. Pandu’s hands. The second time I got sick, they told me I had a heavy form of cancer and I would never have children because I was completely out of my period. That’s when I decided to go to Mr. Panto. I’m here to freeze eggs, but he let me know that I don’t have time to do something about it. The only solution for me, he said, is freezing ovarian tissue and I would be the first in Greece to do so. This January 2013… I still haven’t believed it. Only when he starts kicking me, that’s when I realize I don’t dream but it’s true… I live it!!! During the bone marrow transplant they gave me for cancer, while I had a heart attack, I listened to my mom’s voices and answered but they wouldn’t listen to me. I said I’m gonna stay here, I’m gonna make it, and I’m gonna have kids. I want to tell all the women who are going through as hard as I have with cancer not to lose faith and hope. Don’t give up their dreams. Trust their doctor and above all God…”. This incident puts Greece on the map of the pioneering method of autologous ovarian tissue transplantation. ‘With this method 210 children have been born internationally’ The Secretary General of the Hellenic Society for Reproductive Medicine and President of the Clinical GENESIS ATHENS, Mr. Constantinos Pantos, stated: “On the occasion of this incident we invite all colleagues to contribute in order for Greece to be able to become a reference centre for ensuring the reproductive rights of women diagnosed with some form of cancer or other diseases that may be an obstacle to their subsequent reproductive autonomy. It is necessary to know that they can make an immediate, safe and effective solution, without wasting valuable time from their treatment, while maintaining control of their reproductive potential.” And he went on to say that “by this method 210 children have been born internationally, after the first child in the world in 2004, with a birth rate of 21%, with similar birth rates, both from physical conception and after IVF. Pregnancys have been reported in some countries in Europe such as Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, England, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Italy and some minimal Clinics in the US. In China the first birth of a child took place in 2021. I want first of all to congratulate this woman on the Titanic effort to reach her own Ithaca. This woman’s mental power is a beacon of optimism for many other women with corresponding problems. To congratulate her husband on his constant and loyal and supportive showing all these years to his wife. I bow to both with respect…”. Mr George Patoulis, President of the ISA, addressed his address: “This kind of achievement created the conditions for Greece to have nothing to envy, from any other country of known value, in terms of reproductive medicine. He has demonstrated in recent years that the combination of the academic community with the private and public sector has triumphed and is respected by the global patient – citizen. That is why we see a large increase in patients coming from all over the planet.” The cryopacitation of ovarian tissue The President of the Greek Society for Reproductive Medicine and Professor Emeritus of Medicine Nappa, Mr Michael Koutsilieris, also said: “The Greek Society of Reproductive Medicine is very happy when distinguished scientists, members of the Company, proceed to innovative applications of technology and give the joy of motherhood to Greek women. These innovative applications, such as cryo-suspension of ovarian tissue, will be discussed at the 4th Panhellenic Conference of Reproductive Medicine held 8-10 March, here in Athens, at Crowne Plaza Hotel”. Professor Peter Zoltan Fedorchak, in an online intervention, said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to cooperate with Dr Panto in the therapeutic management of cancer patients who must restore their fertility by autologous ovarian tissue transplantation. Our team contributed only to three interventions, followed by the insistence of staff at the Athens GENESIS Clinic, giving such a wonderful result.” Successful progression of transplantation Embryologist Maria Biba, with him from Oslo, completed: “For me it is very important that I started with GENESIS ATHENS and was together in the group that cold-maintained the ovarian tissue of this woman and participated in its transplantation. Now, as a Greek woman and as Director of the Laboratory for Extrasomatic Insemination of Oslo University Hospital, I declare proud of the first positive result we had as Greece. I wish Mrs Coca from now on life brings them only good news.” Nicolaos Paparistidis, former Director of the Medically Aided Reproduction Unit of the hospital “Elena Venizelos”, who participated in the live connection with the 13 Hospitals in 2021, noted among others that: “After the successful development of this transplant and the achievement of pregnancy, the public sector with the private initiative will seek cooperation in order to cover such efforts by insurance institutions. At the upcoming conference it will be known that our cooperation continues with the new address.” source: Iatropedia.gr