Frozen hope: new study banks testicular tissue for boys at risk of infertility

NCT ID NCT02972801

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study collects and freezes testicular tissue from boys and young men who are at risk of becoming infertile due to cancer, autoimmune disorders, or their treatments. The tissue is stored in a research bank, with the hope that future medical advances will allow it to be used to restore fertility. Participants undergo a testicular biopsy to obtain the tissue. The study is currently recruiting and aims to enroll 1500 participants.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: testicular biopsy and cryopreservation
What this could lead to: If successful, this tissue bank could enable future techniques to restore fertility in boys who would otherwise become infertile from their medical treatments.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage tissue collection study, not a treatment. The frozen tissue may never be usable, as the methods to create sperm from it are still experimental and years away.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autoimmune disease cancer infertility disorder neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS CANCER

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

Magee-Womens Hospital
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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