Effect and safety of high-dose dienogest (20 mg/day) in the treatment of women with endometriosis

Ethinyl estradiol vs estradiol valerate in combined oral contraceptives - Effect on glucose tolerance: A randomized, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of two formulations of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), estradiol valerate (EV) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) combined with dienogest (DNG), and DNG-only, on glucose tolerance.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a randomized, controlled 9-week clinical trial. Inclusion criteria were: age 18-35 years, regular menstrual cycle (28 ± 7 days), no polycystic ovaries, non-smoking, no contraindications for COC use and a 2-month wash-out from hormonal contraceptive use. The women were randomized to EV + DNG (n = 20), EE + DNG (n = 20), and DNG-only (n = 19), and evaluated at baseline, at 4-5 weeks and 8-9 weeks of treatment. Study medications were used continuously for 63 days. Primary outcome measure was change in the whole-body insulin sensitivity index (Matsuda index) derived from the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) over the treatment period. Secondary outcome measures were area under curves (AUC) of glucose and insulin, homeostatic model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Insulin Sensitivity Index (ISI).

RESULTS

Fifty-nine women enrolled, and 56 women completed the study. The Matsuda index changed from baseline as follows (mean percentage change, mean change [95%CI]): DNG-only -12%, -1.45 [95%CI -3.22-0.325] P = 0.10; EV + DNG + 2.7%, -0.10 [-1.34 to 1.14] P = 0.86; EE + DNG -5.5%, -1.02 [-2.51 to 0.46] P = 0.16, comparing the groups P = 0.27. There were no clinically significant differences in glucose tolerance between the COC groups, but the DNG-only group showed an improvement in the 2-h glucose levels (5.5 [95%CI 5.0-6.0] to 4.7 mmol/l [4.2-5.2], P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found no clinically significant differences between EV and EE combined with DNG and DNG-only on glucose tolerance in healthy, young, normal-weight women, indicating that these preparations appear close to neutral regarding glucose metabolism when used continuously for nine weeks.

IMPLICATIONS

Combinations of both ethinyl estradiol and natural estradiol (estradiol valerate) with dienogest (DNG), as well as DNG-only, seem metabolically safe in young and healthy women in short-term continuous use.

A progestin isn't a progestin: dienogest for endometriosis as a blueprint for future research - Review as a contribution for discussion

The different etiopathogenetic mechanisms and the diversity of clinical features of endometriosis has not yet allowed to identify a causal pharmacological monotherapy satisfying the unresolved medical needs in this important female disease. Therefore, despite the search for new therapeutic principles for the indication, the strategy of gradual optimization of established therapeutic principles should not be disregarded.In the case of progestins, the fact that each compound has its own, specific profile may allow to study the therapeutic relevance of the various signal cascades influenced by their receptors.Using the example of the progestin dienogest, the different genomic and non-genomic mechanisms of action are discussed. It is pharmacodynamic profile is unique compared to other progestins.In light of the emerging multitude of pathomechanisms in endometriosis, a monotherapy may not be possible, and then the search for broad spectrum compounds or combination therapies with dual or multiple mode of action in a clinically relevant dose range might be considered. The progestogenic action may greatly benefit from, by way of example, additional anti-inflammatory and/or anti-fibrotic and/or pro-apoptotic activities. Such a strategy could lead to new drug classes.

Efficacy, safety and recurrence of new progestins and selective progesterone receptor modulator for the treatment of endometriosis: a comparison study in mice

BACKGROUND

Current medical treatments for endometriosis are very limited. Progestin and selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRM) are developed but their efficacy, safety, mechanism and recurrence in endometriosis are not fully studied.

METHODS

In order to compare therapeutic, side effects and therapeutic actions of Esmya, Duphaston and Dienogest in endometriosis. Experimental endometriosis was induced by either intraperitoneal or subcutaneous mouse endometrium transplantation. Lesion size, weight and histology at the end of intervention were compared. Expression of related markers in the endometriotic lesions were examined. Body, uterus and ovary weights, endometrial glands and thickness (ETI), and follicle count were measured. For recurrent study, lesion growth before and after intervention was monitored.

RESULTS

After Esmya, Duphaston, Dienogest treatment, lesion size and weight were significantly decreased. Proliferation Pcna expression was significantly decreased in all groups, but proliferation cells were significantly decreased only in Duphaston group. Apoptosis Mapk1 expression and TUNEL-positive cells were significantly increased in Duphaston group. Adhesion Mmp2 and Itgavβ3 expression were significantly increased in Esmya group. Plau, Hif1α and Vegfa expression, peritoneal fluid PGE2 levels, and ERα and ERβ expression were not affected; while PR expression was significantly lower in all groups. Endometrial gland count in uterus was significantly increased in Dienogest group, ETI was significantly decreased in Duphaston group, and AFC were significantly increased in Esmya group. Upon treatment cessation, lesion growth rebound quickly in Dienogest and Duphaston groups, but slowly in Esmya group.

CONCLUSION

Esmya, Duphaston and Dienogest are effective anti-endometriosis drugs targeting proliferation, apoptosis and adhesion. Esmya, Duphaston and Dienogest are all well tolerable, although endometrial glandular hyperplasia was found in Dienogest, endometrial atrophy in Duphaston, follicle accumulation in Esmya.

Progestins for the Treatment of Endometriosis: An Update

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, including 25–40% of infertile women. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain are the most common symptoms. Currently available medical therapies for endometriosis do not cure the disease, but are directed at symptom relief, typically utilizing the hormone responsiveness of endometriotic tissue to induce lesion atrophy. Unfortunately, pain relapse after treatment suspension is a common event. Treatment with pharmacological therapies for endometriosis should be conceived in terms of years, thus agents that must be withdrawn after a few months due to poor tolerability or severe metabolic side effects do not greatly benefit women with symptomatic endometriosis. The characteristics of progestins render this class an ideal pharmacological choice for administration over extended periods. The present paper will review the rationale for using progestins and their mechanism of action in endometriosis. Thereafter, the results obtained by various progestins in the treatment of endometriosis will be evaluated (danazol, gestrinone, norethisterone acetate, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, megestrol acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and levonorgestrel). A progestin called dienogest, recently introduced for the treatment of endometriosis, will be given special focus, describing its mechanism of action and clinical results.

Progress in the diagnosis and management of adolescent endometriosis: an opinion

Increasing evidence indicates that early onset endometriosis (EOE), starting around menarche or early adolescence, may have an origin different from the adult variant, originating from neonatal uterine bleeding (NUB). This implies seeding of naïve endometrial progenitor cells into the pelvic cavity with NUB; these can then activate around thelarche. It has its own pathophysiology, symptomatology and risk factors, warranting critical management re-evaluation. It can also be progressive, endangering future reproductive capacity. This variant seems to be characterized by the presence of ovarian endometrioma. Today, the diagnosis of endometriosis in young patients is often delayed for years; if rapidly progressive, it can severely affect pelvic organs, even in the absence of serious symptoms. Given the predicament, great attention must be paid to symptomatology that is often non-specific, justifying a search for new, simple, non-invasive markers of increased risk. Better use of modern imaging techniques will aid considerably in screening for the presence of EOE. Traditional laparoscopy should be limited to cases in which imaging gives rise to suspicion of severity and a stepwise, minimally invasive approach should be used, followed by medical treatment to prevent recurrence. In conclusion, EOE represents a condition necessitating early diagnosis and stepwise management, including medical treatment.

Safety and tolerability of dienogest in endometriosis: pooled analysis from the European clinical study program

Background

In four randomized, controlled, European trials, dienogest 2 mg once daily demonstrated significant efficacy for lesion reduction and reduction in pain intensity in endometriosis. We describe a pooled analysis of the safety and tolerability data from these trials to confirm and further characterize the safety profile of dienogest in the treatment of endometriosis.

Methods

All 332 women treated with dienogest 2 mg who participated in the four clinical trials were included in the pooled analyses for safety assessments, including adverse events, laboratory tests, vital signs, body weight, and bleeding patterns. Safety variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Pooled analyses of this large patient population confirmed that dienogest 2 mg is well tolerated, with a favorable safety profile extending over a period up to 65 weeks in women with endometriosis. The most common adverse drug reactions were headache, breast discomfort, depressed mood, and acne, each occurring in <10% of women. All these adverse events were generally of mild-to-moderate intensity and associated with low discontinuation rates. The bleeding pattern associated with dienogest 2 mg was well tolerated, and only two women (0.6%) reported bleeding events as the primary reason for premature discontinuation. Laboratory and vital sign assessments indicated no safety concerns for dienogest. Estradiol levels were maintained within the low-physiological range, in support of previous evidence indicating that dienogest 2 mg demonstrates therapeutic efficacy without inducing estradiol deficiency.

Conclusion

In this pooled analysis of 332 women with endometriosis, dienogest was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile extending over a period of up to 65 weeks. There is a paucity of randomized trial evidence to support the use of many treatments in endometriosis. These pooled analyses from four clinical trials of dienogest 2 mg represent a contribution to evidence-based medicine in endometriosis, providing outcomes of potential relevance to daily practice.

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis Treatment with Dienogest: A Pilot Study

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment with dienogest in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil. The study included 16 women with DIE and pain which was not responsive to treatment with other progestins, who were treated with dienogest, and who attend a tertiary university hospital in 2013. Scores for pain complaints, quality of life, sexuality and extent of endometriotic lesions were evaluated before and 6 months after treatment. Statistical methods included the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, which was used for the analysis of the quantitative data, and the relationship between them was tested by the Spearman correlation index.

Results

Women were a mean 36 ± 6.2 years old and reported onset of painful symptoms at a mean 29.9 ± 8.6 years of age. A significant reduction in dysmenorrhea, acyclic pelvic pain, dyspareunia and defecation pain was reported after treatment. There was no significant change in the assessment of quality of life or the Female Sexual Function Index. Intestinal lesions, which had an initial 3.4 ± 4.2 cc average size, decreased to 1.6 ± 1.8 cc, but this reduction was not statistically significant. The most common side effects were headaches and acne.

Conclusions

Dienogest can be used for clinical pain control in DIE.

Hormonal treatment for severe hydronephrosis caused by bladder endometriosis

The incidence of endometriosis cases involving the urinary system has recently increased, and the bladder is a specific zone where endometriosis is most commonly seen in the urinary system. In the case presented here, a patient presented to the emergency department with the complaint of side pain and was examined and diagnosed with severe hydronephrosis and bladder endometriosis was determined in the etiology. After the patient was pathologically diagnosed, Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System (LNG-IUS) was administered to the uterine cavity. At the 12-month follow-up, endometriosis was not observed in the cystoscopy and symptoms had completely regressed. Hydronephrosis may be observed after exposure of the ureter, and silent renal function loss may develop in patients suffering from endometriosis with bladder involvement. For patients with moderate or severe hydronephrosis associated with bladder endometriosis, LNG-IUS application may be separately and successfully used after conservative surgery.

New trends of progestins treatment of endometriosis

The management of endometriosis with OC or progestins is generally safe, effective and well-tolerated and should constitute the first line of medical treatment in symptomatic patients who do not want to have children. Progestins, synthetic progestational agents, have been used in the management of symptomatic endometriosis both as primary therapy and as an adjunct to surgical time. A variety of oral agents have been employed in this regard and investigators have demonstrated differing degrees of benefit. The lack of a standardized instrument to evaluate painful symptoms makes comparative analysis more difficult. Concern about efficacy and side effect has pushed the research on the development of new well-tolerated drugs and to develop new administration routes to minimize general side effects. Aim of the present review is to present the results of clinical studies on new trends of progestins in the treatment of endometriosis.

The "newer" progestogens and postmenopausal hormone therapy (HRT)

After a worldwide breakdown of hormone therapy [HT] following the publications of the Women's Health Initiative trial and Million Women's Study in 2002-2003, there is now a trend to turn attention again to HT and to explore particular progestogens, which have been discredited with respect to their side effects. The progestogens to be considered should control undue proliferation of the endometrium and should not interfere negatively with the positive effects of estradiol, regarding carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well as hemostasis. In the present review, three "newer progestogens" are scrutinized regarding their various actions, in combination with estradiol; the progestogens include dienogest, drospirenone and nomegestrol acetate. This article is part of a special issue entitled Menopause.

Endometriosis of the bladder as a cause of obstructive uropathy

A 47-year-old woman (gravida 1, para 1) with menorrhagia and pelvic pain was found to have an enlarged fibroid uterus and bladder mass on ultrasonographic imaging. The patient underwent an abdominal supracervical hysterectomy and transurethral bladder mass resection. Histopathologic findings revealed leiomyoma uteri, intramural adenomyosis, and bladder endometriosis. Most case series of bladder endometriosis include women that present with urinary symptoms. This is a rare case of obstructive uropathy secondary to bladder endometriosis in a patient without any urinary signs or symptoms.

Therapeutic effect of dienogest on adenosarcoma arising from endometriosis: a case report

Dienogest is a novel synthesized progestin used for treatment of endometriosis. This is the first case report describing a therapeutic effect of dienogest on a gynecologic malignancy. The patient was a 44-year-old woman with advanced adenosarcoma arising from the endometriosis in the rectovaginal space and infiltrating the left pelvic wall, left ureter, rectum and vagina. The residual tumor after tumor debulking surgery was resistant to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Dienogest was used as a substitute for medroxyprogesterone acetate because of the presence of deep vein thrombosis. Based on the RECIST criteria, partial response was obtained with oral dienogest therapy at six months and the serum CA125 level also decreased from 70 U/ml to 16 U/ml. The tumor remained stable up to 21 months. Thromboembolism or other adverse effects did not occur during the dienogest therapy. Dienogest may be useful for the treatment of adenosarcoma arising from endometriosis.

Diagnosis and treatment of bladder endometriosis: state of the art

BACKGROUND

The bladder is the most common affected site in urinary tract endometriosis, being diagnosed during gynecologic follow-up. The surgical urological treatment might lead to good results.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To define the state of the art in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder endometriosis.

METHODS

We performed a literature review by searching the MEDLINE database for articles published between 1996 and 2011, limiting the searches to the words: urinary tract endometriosis, bladderendometriosis, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

RESULTS

Deep pelvic endometriosis usually involves the urinary system, with the bladder being affected in 85% of cases. The diagnosis has to be considered as a step-by-step procedure. Currently, the treatment is usually surgical, consisting of either transurethral resection or partial cystectomy, and eventually associated with hormonal therapy. The hormonal therapy alone counteracts only the stimulus of endometriotic tissue proliferation, with no effects on the scarring caused by this tissue. The overall recurrence rate is about 30% for combined therapies and about 35% for the hormonal treatment alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The bladder is the most common affected site in urinary tract endometriosis. Most of the time, this condition is diagnosed because of the complaint of urinary symptoms during gynecologic follow-up procedures for a deep pelvic endometriosis: a close collaboration between the gynecologist and the urologist is advisable, especially in highly specialized centers. The surgical urological treatment might lead to good results in terms of patients' compliance and prognosis.

Dienogest in long-term treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic disease primarily affecting women of childbearing age, in which endometriotic lesions form outside the uterus, typically leading to painful symptoms, fatigue, and infertility. The symptoms of endometriosis may cause significant impairment in quality of life and represent a substantial economic burden to patients, families, and society. There is no cure for endometriosis; management consists of alleviating pain and other symptoms, reducing endometriotic lesions, and improving quality of life. Recurrence after surgical intervention is common, while the clinical evidence to support the efficacy and safety of many medications currently used in endometriosis is limited. Dienogest is an oral progestin that has been investigated extensively in the treatment of endometriosis in two clinical programs performed in Europe and Japan, including dose-ranging, placebo-controlled, active comparator-controlled, and long-term (up to 65 weeks) studies. These studies demonstrated that dienogest 2 mg daily effectively alleviates the painful symptoms of endometriosis, reduces endometriotic lesions, and improves indices of quality of life. Dienogest showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile in these studies, with predictable adverse effects, high rates of patient compliance, and low withdrawal rates. This review article describes the clinical trial evidence that characterizes the efficacy and safety of dienogest in endometriosis, including two studies characterizing dienogest in long-term use. The relevance of these findings to the management of endometriosis in clinical practice is discussed.

Reduced pelvic pain in women with endometriosis: efficacy of long-term dienogest treatment

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy and safety of dienogest as a long-term treatment in endometriosis, with follow-up after treatment discontinuation. The study included women with endometriosis, who had previously completed a 12-week, placebo-controlled study of dienogest, who participated in an open-label extension study for up to 53 weeks. Thereafter, a patient subgroup was evaluated in a 24-week follow-up after treatment discontinuation.

Methods

A multicenter study performed in Germany, Italy and Ukraine. Women with endometriosis were enrolled at completion of the placebo-controlled study (n = 168). All women received dienogest (2 mg once daily, orally) and changes in pelvic pain (on a visual analog scale), bleeding pattern, adverse events and laboratory parameters were evaluated during and after treatment.

Results

The completion rate among women who entered the open-label extension study was 90.5% (n = 152). A significant decrease in pelvic pain was shown during continued dienogest treatment (P < 0.001). The mean frequency and intensity of bleeding progressively decreased. Adverse events, rated generally mild or moderate, led to withdrawal in four patients (2.4%). No clinically relevant changes in laboratory parameters were observed. During treatment-free follow-up (n = 34), the reduction in pelvic pain persisted, while bleeding frequency and intensity returned to normal patterns.

Conclusions

Long-term dienogest showed a favorable efficacy and safety profile, with progressive decreases in pain and bleeding irregularities during continued treatment; the decrease of pelvic pain persisted for at least 24 weeks after treatment cessation.

Beneficial effects of dienogest on uterine myoma volume: a retrospective controlled study comparing with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

PURPOSE

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of reproductive age women, but there is no effective medical therapy to data. Aim of this study was to examine and compare the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) versus dienogest in premenopausal women with uterine myoma.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 55 premenopausal patients with endometriosis, who received dienogest (2 mg daily) for 6 months regarding coexistence of uterine myoma between January 2008 and June 2010. To compare these data in a case-control study, we analyzed a matched control group of 12 patients treated with leuprolide acetate (1.88 mg monthly) for 6 months having uterine myoma.

RESULTS

Of the 55 patients treated with dienogest, six were associated with coexistent myoma node. Total myoma volume significantly decreased to 59.7 ± 7.0% of initial in dienogest group and 51.9 ± 5.5% in GnRHa group. Reduction rate in myoma volume was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Uterine myoma volume was successfully reduced by use of dienogest. Consideration of GnRHa disadvantages may lead to short- or long-term management of women with myoma who are to be managed transiently, and who wish to avoid surgical intervention, especially perimenopausal women.