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Recombinant LH Prior to Ovarian Stimulation in Poor Ovarian Responders (PRE-LH) (PRE-LH)

Primary Purpose

Infertility, Female

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 3
Locations
Spain
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Pre-treatment with rLH (Luveris 75 IU),
Sponsored by
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, IVI Alicante
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Infertility, Female focused on measuring Poor ovarian response, Recombinant LH, Advanced maternal age, Oocyte retrieved

Eligibility Criteria

35 Years - 43 Years (Adult)FemaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. -Patients with POR according to specific criteria that are in line with the criteria defined by the ESHRE (Bologna Criteria), according to which a patient is classified as a poor ovarian responder when she meets two of the three of the following criteria: I.- Previous episode of POR (≤3 oocytes) with conventional stimulation protocol II.- Abnormal ovarian reserve test with an antral follicle count (AFC) <5-7 and/or anti-mullerian hormone values (AMH) <0.5-1.1 ng/mL.

    III.- Women ≥40 years old and/or who have any other risk factor for POR. In addition, two episodes of POR after maximal stimulation are sufficient to define a patient as poor responder in the absence of advanced maternal age or abnormal ovarian reserve test.

  2. - Women ≥35 to ≤43 years for COS and assisted reproduction techniques (ART).
  3. - Couple or single woman, accepting preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGS) after blastocyst biopsy and delayed transfer for selection of euploid embryos.
  4. - Body Mass Index (BMI) between18 and 30 kg/m 2 , inclusive.
  5. - Ejaculatory sperm with concentration ≥ 5 mill spermatozoa/mL and ≥ 5 mill total spermatozoa progressive motility. Bank and cryopreserved semen allowed.
  6. - Informed consent completed, signed and dated.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. - Cases of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (≥2 clinical miscarriages) or implantation failure (after transfer of 6 good D3 embryos or 4 good blastocysts) will be excluded.
  2. - Use of testicular or epididymal spermatozoa as well as ejaculate with concentration < 5 mill spermatozoa/mL and < 5 mill total spermatozoa progressive motility.
  3. - Primary ovarian failure, PCOS (in accordance with the Rotterdam criteria) or ovary/s inaccessible for oocyte retrieval.
  4. - Anatomical uterine abnormalities and any endometrium or myometrium pathology (adenomyosis, polyps, myoma, etc.) that may interfere with implantation or pregnancy. Patients with previous polypectomy, myomectomy or surgery for septate/subseptate/arcuatus uterus should not be excluded.
  5. - Presence of unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx that has not been surgically removed or ligated.
  6. - Presence of level III-IV endometriosis.
  7. - History of tumours in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, or ovarian, uterine or breast cancer.
  8. - Abnormal bleeding of undetermined origin.
  9. - Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus, active hepatitis B or C virus in the woman or her partner.
  10. - Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drugs administered during the trial.
  11. - Concurrent significant medical pathologies that would endanger the patient's safety (uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, severe hepatic or renal impairment, etc.) or interfere with the test evaluations or the clinical outcomes (i.e. confirmed thrombophilia).
  12. - Use of concomitant medication or any other circumstances that, in the opinion of the investigator, interferes with the development of the trial or does not ensure the safety and efficacy of the data.
  13. - Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial or previous participation in this study.
  14. - Participation in another clinical study two months before inclusion in the present study that could affect its objectives.

Sites / Locations

  • IVI AlicanteRecruiting
  • IVI MadridRecruiting
  • IVI MurciaRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Experimental

No Intervention

Arm Label

Arm 1 - experimental group

Arm 2 - control (no pre-treatment) group

Arm Description

Treatment with 150 IU/day rLH, administered subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days prior to COS (with a starting dose of 225 IU/day rFSH and 75 IU/day rLH for 18 days maximum in a short antagonist protocol).

The subjects assigned to this group will not receive any treatment in the four days prior to COS (with a starting dose of 225 IU/day rFSH and 75 IU/day rLH for 18 days maximum in a short antagonist protocol).

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

number of oocytes retrieved
number of oocytes retrieved

Secondary Outcome Measures

Number of follicles >17 mm on the previous day or the day of GnRH agonist injection (Decapeptyl)
P 4 and E 2 levels on the previous day or the day of GnRH agonist injection
Duration of stimulation and total gonadotropin dose during COS
Serum hormonal profile before and after IMP treatment and after stimulation
Cycle cancellation rates (stimulation cycle cancelled prior to oocyte retrieval if there is no follicular response after 10 days of stimulation or due to premature ovulation at any time before oocyte retrieval)
Number of mature or metaphase II (MII) oocytes/number of oocytes retrieved per puncture
Number of retrieved oocytes/number of expected oocytes (follicles >15 mm on the day of GnRH agonist injection)
Fertilization rate
Hormonal profile in follicular fluid on the day of the puncture
Gene expression profile in granulosa cells
Apoptosis rate in granulosa cells
Morphological variables of embryonic quality
Blastocyst rate
Number of optimal embryos (type A or B, according to ASEBIR classification)
Number of euploid and aneuploid embryos
Stimulation cycle yield (number of frozen embryos).
Number of cycles with embryo transferred/ number of stimulation cycle started
Pregnancy rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Implantation rates
Ongoing pregnancy rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Clinical and biochemical miscarriages rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Ectopic pregnancy rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Live birth rates
Assessment and recording of adverse events

Full Information

First Posted
November 5, 2018
Last Updated
March 9, 2023
Sponsor
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, IVI Alicante
Collaborators
Merck, S.L., Spain, Syntax for Science, S.L, Fundación IVI
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT03741699
Brief Title
Recombinant LH Prior to Ovarian Stimulation in Poor Ovarian Responders (PRE-LH)
Acronym
PRE-LH
Official Title
A Phase III Multicentre, Randomized, Unblinded Clinical Trial to Test the Effect of Treatment With Recombinant LH Prior to Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in Poor Ovarian Responder Women With an Advanced Maternal Age
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
February 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
February 18, 2019 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
May 31, 2023 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
May 31, 2023 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, IVI Alicante
Collaborators
Merck, S.L., Spain, Syntax for Science, S.L, Fundación IVI

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is one of the first stages of assisted reproductive treatment. The goal is to mimic the ovarian cycle while stimulating the ovaries to overproduce eggs capable of being fertilized, thus maximizing the chances of reproductive success. The stimulation phase involves the use of different hormonal medications but requires tests to check the development of follicles, and hormonal adjustment to get the optimal ovarian response to stimulation. However, between 9 to 24% of patients fail to respond adequately to standard stimulation protocols, resulting in Poor Ovarian Response (POR). In addition to the low oocyte production, POR results in a restricted number of good quality embryos with appropriate implantation potential, suggesting a compromised oocyte quality. POR is one of the most challenging problems in reproductive medicine. Poor responders are difficult to treat since their response to stimulation tend to be deficient even when using different drugs or protocols. In recent years, different therapeutic alternatives have been proposed for these patients. However, to date, the optimal stimulation protocol has not yet been described and oocyte donation is often offered as their only option to achieve pregnancy. Recently, evidence has emerged that supplementation with a specific hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), during or prior to COS could lead to improved reproductive outcomes in poor responders by increasing the number of oocytes retrieved and improving their quality. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the treatment with LH prior to COS on the ovarian response in patients with POR and advanced maternal age, the worst prognosis but more frequent group of poor responders attending fertility clinics. We will assess whether LH treatment prior to COS increases the number and quality of oocytes retrieved in those patients and, finally, analyse the impact in their chances of getting pregnant and having a baby.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Infertility, Female
Keywords
Poor ovarian response, Recombinant LH, Advanced maternal age, Oocyte retrieved

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 3
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Model Description
prospective, interventional, randomised, unblinded and controlled study with 2 parallel groups
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
88 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Arm 1 - experimental group
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Treatment with 150 IU/day rLH, administered subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days prior to COS (with a starting dose of 225 IU/day rFSH and 75 IU/day rLH for 18 days maximum in a short antagonist protocol).
Arm Title
Arm 2 - control (no pre-treatment) group
Arm Type
No Intervention
Arm Description
The subjects assigned to this group will not receive any treatment in the four days prior to COS (with a starting dose of 225 IU/day rFSH and 75 IU/day rLH for 18 days maximum in a short antagonist protocol).
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Pre-treatment with rLH (Luveris 75 IU),
Intervention Description
Treatment with 150 IU/day rLH (Luveris 75 IU), administered subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days prior to COS (Controlled ovarian stimulation)
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
number of oocytes retrieved
Description
number of oocytes retrieved
Time Frame
37 days
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Number of follicles >17 mm on the previous day or the day of GnRH agonist injection (Decapeptyl)
Time Frame
from day 8-12 to day 33-37
Title
P 4 and E 2 levels on the previous day or the day of GnRH agonist injection
Time Frame
from day 8-12 to day 33-37
Title
Duration of stimulation and total gonadotropin dose during COS
Time Frame
from day 8-12 to day 33-37
Title
Serum hormonal profile before and after IMP treatment and after stimulation
Time Frame
from day 8-12 to day 33-37
Title
Cycle cancellation rates (stimulation cycle cancelled prior to oocyte retrieval if there is no follicular response after 10 days of stimulation or due to premature ovulation at any time before oocyte retrieval)
Time Frame
from day 8-12 to day 33-37
Title
Number of mature or metaphase II (MII) oocytes/number of oocytes retrieved per puncture
Time Frame
Day 37
Title
Number of retrieved oocytes/number of expected oocytes (follicles >15 mm on the day of GnRH agonist injection)
Time Frame
Day 37
Title
Fertilization rate
Time Frame
Day 38
Title
Hormonal profile in follicular fluid on the day of the puncture
Time Frame
Day 37
Title
Gene expression profile in granulosa cells
Time Frame
Day 37
Title
Apoptosis rate in granulosa cells
Time Frame
Day 37
Title
Morphological variables of embryonic quality
Time Frame
Day 38 to 43
Title
Blastocyst rate
Time Frame
Day 43
Title
Number of optimal embryos (type A or B, according to ASEBIR classification)
Time Frame
Day 43
Title
Number of euploid and aneuploid embryos
Time Frame
Day 50
Title
Stimulation cycle yield (number of frozen embryos).
Time Frame
Day 43
Title
Number of cycles with embryo transferred/ number of stimulation cycle started
Time Frame
Day 43
Title
Pregnancy rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 1 year
Title
Implantation rates
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 1 year
Title
Ongoing pregnancy rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 1 year
Title
Clinical and biochemical miscarriages rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 1 year
Title
Ectopic pregnancy rates (per stimulation cycle and embryo transfer)
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 1 year
Title
Live birth rates
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 18 +/-3 months
Title
Assessment and recording of adverse events
Time Frame
Throughout the study, estimate 18 +/-3 months

10. Eligibility

Sex
Female
Gender Based
Yes
Gender Eligibility Description
Only females
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
35 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
43 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: -Patients with POR according to specific criteria that are in line with the criteria defined by the ESHRE (Bologna Criteria), according to which a patient is classified as a poor ovarian responder when she meets two of the three of the following criteria: I.- Previous episode of POR (≤3 oocytes) with conventional stimulation protocol II.- Abnormal ovarian reserve test with an antral follicle count (AFC) <5-7 and/or anti-mullerian hormone values (AMH) <0.5-1.1 ng/mL. III.- Women ≥40 years old and/or who have any other risk factor for POR. In addition, two episodes of POR after maximal stimulation are sufficient to define a patient as poor responder in the absence of advanced maternal age or abnormal ovarian reserve test. - Women ≥35 to ≤43 years for COS and assisted reproduction techniques (ART). - Couple or single woman, accepting preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGS) after blastocyst biopsy and delayed transfer for selection of euploid embryos. - Body Mass Index (BMI) between18 and 30 kg/m 2 , inclusive. - Ejaculatory sperm with concentration ≥ 5 mill spermatozoa/mL and ≥ 5 mill total spermatozoa progressive motility. Bank and cryopreserved semen allowed. - Informed consent completed, signed and dated. Exclusion Criteria: - Cases of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (≥2 clinical miscarriages) or implantation failure (after transfer of 6 good D3 embryos or 4 good blastocysts) will be excluded. - Use of testicular or epididymal spermatozoa as well as ejaculate with concentration < 5 mill spermatozoa/mL and < 5 mill total spermatozoa progressive motility. - Primary ovarian failure, PCOS (in accordance with the Rotterdam criteria) or ovary/s inaccessible for oocyte retrieval. - Anatomical uterine abnormalities and any endometrium or myometrium pathology (adenomyosis, polyps, myoma, etc.) that may interfere with implantation or pregnancy. Patients with previous polypectomy, myomectomy or surgery for septate/subseptate/arcuatus uterus should not be excluded. - Presence of unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx that has not been surgically removed or ligated. - Presence of level III-IV endometriosis. - History of tumours in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, or ovarian, uterine or breast cancer. - Abnormal bleeding of undetermined origin. - Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus, active hepatitis B or C virus in the woman or her partner. - Known allergy or hypersensitivity to the drugs administered during the trial. - Concurrent significant medical pathologies that would endanger the patient's safety (uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, severe hepatic or renal impairment, etc.) or interfere with the test evaluations or the clinical outcomes (i.e. confirmed thrombophilia). - Use of concomitant medication or any other circumstances that, in the opinion of the investigator, interferes with the development of the trial or does not ensure the safety and efficacy of the data. - Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial or previous participation in this study. - Participation in another clinical study two months before inclusion in the present study that could affect its objectives.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Manuel Muñoz, Dr.
Phone
+34 966 01 24 90
Email
Manuel.munoz@ivirma.com
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Manuel Muñoz, Dr.
Organizational Affiliation
Physician - Investigator
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
IVI Alicante
City
Alicante
State/Province
Comunidad Valenciana
ZIP/Postal Code
03015
Country
Spain
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Manuel Muñoz Cantero, Dr.
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Manuel Muñoz
Facility Name
IVI Madrid
City
Madrid
ZIP/Postal Code
28023
Country
Spain
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Juan Antonio García Velasco, Dr.
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Juan Antonio García Velasco
Facility Name
IVI Murcia
City
Murcia
ZIP/Postal Code
30007
Country
Spain
Individual Site Status
Recruiting
Facility Contact:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Jose Landeras Gutiérrez, Dr.
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Jose Landeras Gutiérrez

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
Undecided

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Recombinant LH Prior to Ovarian Stimulation in Poor Ovarian Responders (PRE-LH)

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