O-114 Improved safety and efficiency of individualised versus conventional gonadotropin dosing for ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI: an individual patient meta-analysis (IPD-MA)

Study question

Does an individualised, weight- and AMH-based dosing approach with follitropin delta improve live birth rate, safety, and efficiency, compared to conventional dosing in IVF/ICSI?

Summary answer

Individualised ovarian stimulation performs similarly for live birth rate (increased in normal-high AMH), and reduces the incidence of OHSS and total FSH dosage.

What is known already

Previous studies investigated the effect of individualized gonadotropin dosing in IVF/ICSI using ovarian reserve tests such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC). A Cochrane Review concluded that individualised dosing in IVF is associated with a reduction of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), but no effect on live birth rate. It is hypothesized that an individualised dosing approach is predominantly beneficial in the patients who are potentially normal or high responders. This study addresses the performance of a new human recombinant FSH (follitropin delta) with individualised dosing based on AMH and body weight.

Study design, size, duration

This is an individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) of three follitropin delta phase 3 trials, executed in Europe and North- and South America, South-East Asia, and Japan. All trials were randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, multicenter studies in which individualised follitropin delta vs. conventional follitropin alpha or beta were compared. Women were followed from inclusion, at start of their first fresh IVF/ICSI cycle, until 4 weeks after live birth.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Women aged 20-40 yrs, undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycle, were randomly assigned to follitropin delta (AMH < 15 pmol/L: 12 µg/day; AMH ≥ 15 pmol/L: 0.10-0.19 µg/kg/day: maximum 12 µg/day) or conventional follitropin alpha or beta (150 IU/day for 5 days, possible subsequent dose adjustments). The IPD-MA was performed using logistic regression analysis. Planned subgroup analyses were performed for expected normal/high responders (serum AMH ≥15 pmol/L), and expected low responders (serum AMH <15 pmol/L).

Main results and the role of chance

Nearly 2,700 women were randomised and exposed: n = 1,348 for conventional dosing regimen with follitropin alpha or beta, and n = 1,334 for individualised dosing with follitropin delta. Live birth rate was similar for both groups (29.5% in follitropin delta vs. 26.9% in follitropin alpha/beta; OR 1.14 (0.96-1.35)). However, in expected normal to high responders live birth rate was significantly increased for those receiving individualised follitropin delta (31.4% vs. 25.9%; OR 1.31 (1.06 - 1.62)). Mean number of transferred embryos/blastocysts was comparable (0.95 vs. 0.94, respectively; mean difference 0.0076; NS), and did not differ when subgroup analyses were performed for normal/high AMH and low AMH. The occurrence of early OHSS was significantly reduced in individualised follitropin delta (4.0% vs. 6.4%; OR 0.62 (95% CI 0.43-0.88)), in subgroup analyses a similar reduction was identified. Total dosage of FSH was significantly lower in individualized follitropin delta (84.5 vs. 112.1 µg; mean difference -27.5 µg (95% CI -30.0 - -25.1)), with a more pronounced effect in normal to high AMH (mean difference -36.5 µg (95% CI -39.2 - -33.7)). Gestational age and birth weight were similar. The IPD-MA identified similar findings among women from the three studies with their different ethnic backgrounds.

Limitations, reasons for caution

For individualised dosing with follitropin delta, it was observed that the number of cryopreserved embryos was significantly lower (2.4 vs. 3.0, mean difference -0.67 (p < 0.05)), and it remains unclear whether this affects cumulative live birth rate.

Wider implications of the findings

Individualised dosing with gonadotropin delta is similarly successful in terms of live birth (increased for normal-high AMH women), reduces safety risks, and is more effective with regard to gonadotropin dosage, compared with conventional dosing in IVF/ICSI. Treatment costs are reduced by prescription of lower gonadotropin doses and OHSS reduction.

Trial registration number

NCT01956110, NCT03228680, NCT03296527

Outcome After Thrombectomy and Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose—

In patients with ischemic stroke, randomized trials showed a better functional outcome after endovascular therapy with new-generation thrombectomy devices compared with medical treatment, including intravenous thrombolysis. However, effects on mortality and the generalizability of results to routine clinical practice are uncertain.

Methods—

In a prospective observational register-based study patients with ischemic stroke treated either with thrombectomy, intravenous thrombolysis, or their combination were included. Primary outcome was the modified Rankin scale score (0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]) at 3 months. Ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the common odds ratio as treatment effects (shift analysis). Propensity score matching was applied to compare patients treated either with intravenous thrombolysis alone or with intravenous thrombolysis plus thrombectomy.

Results—

Among 2650 recruited patients, 1543 received intravenous thrombolysis, 504 underwent thrombectomy, and 603 received intravenous thrombolysis in combination with thrombectomy. Later time-to-treatment was associated with worse outcomes among patients treated with thrombectomy plus thrombolysis. In 241 pairs of propensity score–matched patients with a proximal intracranial occlusion, thrombectomy plus thrombolysis was associated with improved functional outcome (common odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.57), and reduced mortality (15% versus 33%; P <0.0001) compared with intravenous thrombolysis alone. Results were similar in various sensitivity analyses accounting for missing outcome data and different analytic methods.

Conclusions—

Results from this large prospective registry show that also in routine clinical care thrombectomy plus thrombolysis compared with thrombolysis alone improved functional outcome and reduced mortality in patients with ischemic stroke. Earlier treatment was associated with better outcomes.

Observations on intraoperative monitoring of visual pathways using steady-state visual evoked potentials

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Former studies revealed conflicting information on the usefulness of intraoperative monitoring of visual evoked potentials. This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of visual evoked potential recording in surgically anaesthetized patients using the modality of steady-state visual evoked potentials.

METHODS

In 30 cases with non-cranial surgery steady-state visual evoked potentials were recorded in the awake and surgically anaesthetized patient using total intravenous anaesthesia. For stimulation, goggles with red light-emitting diodes at a frequency of 8.5 Hz were used. A two-channel recording with silver cup electrodes at Oz to Fz and Oz to earlobe was used. All traces were analysed for the presence of the characteristically sinusoidal waveform and amplitudes and latencies of the main peaks were measured.

RESULTS

Recordings during surgery demonstrated a minor latency prolongation of 16% and a more pronounced amplitude attenuation of 67% compared to the recordings in the awake patients. These differences were statistically significant (paired t-test, P < 0.001). In surgically anaesthetized patients steady-state visual evoked potentials showed a relatively high intra- and interindividual variability. In four of 30 patients completely stable recordings were obtained, whereas in 14 patients identifiable waves were recordable in only less than 50% of the intraoperative traces. Of the total 1360 traces recorded intraoperatively clearly identifiable steady-state visual evoked potentials patterns were present in 56% of the traces. There was no correlation between the magnitude of the evoked potential amplitude and its stability in intraoperative recordings.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude from this study, that steady-state visual evoked potential recordings in the surgically anaesthetized patient appeared to be more stable compared to our earlier findings using transient visual evoked potentials. However, further efforts are necessary to improve the stability of the recordings during surgery and thus allow for a more reliable intraoperative monitoring of visual pathways in routine clinical practice.

Bioassays of gonadotropins

Bioassays constitute a unique approach to determine the functional aspects of gonadotropins. Indeed, these highly complex glycoprotein hormones, including pituitary lutropin (LH) and follitropin (FSH), are heterogeneous in terms of both peptidic and carbohydrate moieties, and, as a consequence, the bioactivity of the different molecular forms often does not match their immunoreactivity. In this article, we review the different types of LH and FSH bioassays. Conventional methods for measuring FSH bioactivity are first described and include the in vivo Steelman and Pohley bioassay, the radioligand receptor assays (RRAs), the in vitro Sertoli cell bioassay, the in vitro granulosa cell bioassay, and the inhibin immunoassay. Recent methods based on cell lines transfected with cloned receptors, particularly the human FSH receptor, are then described. Methods for developing these assays are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of the different bioassays are discussed.

High doses of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist in in-vitro fertilization cycles do not adversely affect the outcome of subsequent freeze-thaw cycles

The clinical application of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists instead of GnRH agonists, to prevent spontaneous premature luteinizing hormone surge during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction treatment has been advocated. A recent, double-blind, dose-finding study, including six dosages of the GnRH antagonist ganirelix, in women undergoing ovarian stimulation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), has indicated that high doses of GnRH antagonist (1 or 2 mg once daily) are associated with a low implantation rate. This follow-up study reports on the pregnancy rate after replacement of cryopreserved embryos obtained in stimulation cycles of the above-mentioned trial. Ovarian stimulation was initiated on day 2 of the cycle, with daily injections of 150 IU recombinant FSH. Ganirelix (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg) was administered once daily from stimulation day 6 onwards, up to and including the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Retrieved oocytes were fertilized by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection and a maximum of three fresh embryos was transferred. Excess embryos were frozen, and subsequently used in either natural or programmed cycles. Until June 1998, 11 ongoing pregnancies (12-16 weeks after embryo transfer) were achieved from 46 cycles in which embryos had been first frozen (23.9% per transfer). Six of these 11 patients had been treated with a high dose of ganirelix (1.0 or 2.0 mg) during the IVF cycles in which the embryos were obtained. In conclusion, our data suggest that high dosages of ganirelix do not adversely affect the potential of embryos to establish clinical pregnancy in freeze-thaw cycles.

Serum hormone concentrations during treatment with multiple rising doses of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Puregon) in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

OBJECTIVE

To study increases of serum FSH and gonadal response in gonadotropin-deficient men treated with recombinant FSH (Puregon; NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands).

DESIGN

An open, prospective, multiple rising dose study in which volunteers received single daily IM doses of recombinant FSH for 3 weeks. The dose administered was increased at weekly intervals: the first 7 days, 75 IU/d; the subsequent 7 days, 150 IU/d; and the last 7 days, 225 IU/d.

PARTICIPANTS

Nine men suffering from isolated gonadotropin deficiency or panhypopituitarism.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Immunoreactive FSH, LH, inhibin, T, and androstenedione.

RESULTS

Serum immunoreactive FSH (median) rose in accordance with the recombinant FSH doses administered from 0.5 mIU/mL (range < 0.05 to 1.9 mIU/mL) at baseline to 4.3 mIU/mL (range 2.0 to 8.5 mIU/mL), 8.4 mIU/mL (range 4.9 to 17.8 mIU/mL), and 13.6 mIU/mL (5.6 to 28.4 mIU/mL) after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of medication, respectively. The elimination half-life of recombinant FSH was 48 +/- 5 hours (mean +/- SD), which was slightly longer than that reported after single dose administration of recombinant FSH (32 +/- 12 hours). The bioactivity of recombinant FSH was reflected by serum inhibin levels, which rose from 116 U/L (range 34 to 356 U/L) at baseline to 350 U/L (range 63 to 1,109 U/L) at day 22. However, serum FSH and inhibin levels did not correlate when compared after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of recombinant FSH administration. Serum immunoreactive LH, T, androstenedione, and E2 were 0.2 mIU/mL (range < 0.05 to 0.7 mIU/mL [conversion factor to SI unit, 1.0]), 58 ng/dL (range < 12 to 222 ng/dL [conversion factor to SI unit, 0.0347]), 14 ng/dL (range 6 to 115 ng/dL [conversion factor to SI unit, 0.0349]), and 14 pg/mL (range < 14 to 16 pg/mL [conversion factor to SI unit, 3.67]), respectively, at baseline and remained unchanged during the entire treatment period.

CONCLUSION

These data indicate that recombinant FSH treatment increases serum FSH in a dose-proportional fashion, increases inhibin secretion, and lacks intrinsic LH activity.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (Org 32489*) in gonadotropin-deficient volunteers

OBJECTIVE

To assess safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; Org 32489, Organon International, Oss, The Netherlands) after a single intramuscular injection in the buttock.

DESIGN

In a prospective study, safety variables, serum FSH, luteinizing hormone, inhibin, estradiol (females only), and testosterone (males only) were evaluated up to a maximum of 11 days after injection of 300 IU recombinant FSH.

SETTING

Four specialist Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility units.

VOLUNTEERS

Fifteen men and women exhibiting all pituitary gonadotropin deficiency.

RESULTS

A single bolus of 300 IU recombinant FSH was well tolerated, and no drug-related adverse effects were noted. Comparison of before and after treatment safety variables, including serum antirecombinant FSH antibodies, showed no changes of clinical relevance. Analysis of serum FSH levels revealed comparable elimination half-lives of 44 +/- 14 (mean +/- SD) and 32 +/- 12 hours in women and men volunteers, respectively. In contrast, peak FSH concentrations were significantly lower in women than in men volunteers (4.3 +/- 1.7 versus 7.4 +/- 2.8 IU/L), and the time required to reach peak levels of FSH was significantly longer in women than in men (27 +/- 5 versus 14 +/- 8 hours). The area under the serum level versus time curve tended to be smaller in women than in men volunteers (339 +/- 105 versus 452 +/- 183 IU/L x hours), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Together these data suggest that recombinant FSH is absorbed from its intramuscular depot to a lower rate and extent in women than in men. In both sexes a relationship between serum FSH levels and body weight was apparent. During the experimental period, other hormones remained low at baseline levels or were only slightly increased.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that recombinant FSH is well tolerated and that it is absorbed from its intramuscular depot to a higher rate and extent in men than in women. After intramuscular administration, its half-life is in good agreement with that previously reported for natural FSH.