Ulipristal acetate decreases active TGF-ß3 and its canonical signaling in uterine leiomyoma via two novel mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effect of ulipristal acetate (UPA) treatment on transforming growth factor (TGF) canonical and noncanonical signaling pathways in uterine leiomyoma tissue and cells. UPA decreased extracellular matrix in surgical specimens; we characterize the mechanism in this study. DESIGN: Laboratory study. SETTING: University. INTERVENTION(S): Exposure of leiomyoma cell lines to UPA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): RNAseq was performed on matched myometrium and leiomyoma surgical specimens of placebo- and UPA-treated patients. Changes in gene expression and protein were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western immunoblot analysis, respectively. RESULT(S): In surgical specimen, mRNA for TGF-ß3 was elevated 3.75-fold and TGFR2 was decreased 0.50-fold in placebo leiomyomas compared with myometrium. Analysis of leiomyomas from UPA-treated women by western blot revealed significant reductions of active TGF-ß3 (0.64 ± 0.12-fold), p-TGFR2 (0.56 ± 0.23-fold), pSmad 2 (0.54 ± 0.04-fold), and pSmad 3 (0.65 ± 0.09-fold) compared with untreated leiomyomas. UPA treatment demonstrated statistically significant reduction in collagen 1, fibronectin, and versican proteins. Notably, there was a statistically significant increase of the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin in leiomyoma treated with UPA (1.48 ± 0.41-fold). Data from in vitro assays with physiologic concentrations of UPA supported the in vivo findings. CONCLUSION(S): TGF-ß pathway is highly up-regulated in leiomyoma and is directly responsible for development of the fibrotic phenotype. UPA attenuates this pathway by reducing TGF-ß3 message and protein expression, resulting in a reduction in TGF-ß canonical signaling. In addition, UPA significantly increased fibrillin protein expression, which can serve to bind inactive TGF-ß complexes. Therefore, UPA inhibits leiomyoma fibrosis by decreasing active TGF-ß3 and diminishing signaling through the canonical pathway. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00290251.

Ulipristal Acetate and Extracellular Matrix Production in Human Leiomyomas In Vivo: A Laboratory Analysis of a Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial.

In a prior randomized controlled study, patients treated with ulipristal acetate (UPA) or placebo for 3 months had a decrease in leiomyoma size. A total of 10 patients' tissue samples (5 placebo and 5 treated with 10 mg/d UPA) that underwent hysterectomy and tissue preservation were identified from this study. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to assess fold gene and protein expression of extracellular membrane (ECM) proteins: collagen 1A (COL1A), fibronectin (FN1), and versican (VCAN) of the samples. Confirmatory immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Changes in total matrix collagen were examined using Masson trichrome staining. Multiplex measurement of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases was performed. Compared to placebo-treated surgical specimens, 80% of the treated specimens showed decrease in VCAN protein, 60% showed decrease in FN1, but no consistent alteration in COL1A. This effect was also supported by immunohistochemistry where leiomyoma surgical specimens demonstrated decreased amount of FN1 and VCAN on UPA treatment. Increased MMP2 and decreased MMP9 in treated patient leiomyomas indicate both degradation of the matrix and inhibition of the pathway involved in matrix production. Treatment with UPA decreased fibroid volume in placebo-controlled, randomized trials. Treatment with UPA decreased gene expression and protein production in leiomyoma tissue, suggesting both an impact on water content and ECM protein concentration as a mechanism of ulipristal-mediated decrease in leiomyoma size.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues inhibit leiomyoma extracellular matrix despite presence of gonadal hormones.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of GnRH analogues (GnRH-a) leuprolide acetate (LA) and cetrorelix acetate on gonadal hormone-regulated expression of extracellular matrix in uterine leiomyoma three-dimensional (3D) cultures. DESIGN: Laboratory study. SETTING: University research laboratory. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing hysterectomy for symptomatic leiomyomas. INTERVENTION(S): The 3D cell cultures, protein analysis, Western blot, immunohistochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of extracellular matrix proteins, collagen 1, fibronectin, and versican in leiomyoma cells 3D cultures exposed to E2, P, LA, cetrorelix acetate, and combinations for 24- and 72-hour time points. RESULT(S): The 3D leiomyoma cultures exposed to E2 for 24 hours demonstrated an increased expression of collagen-1 and fibronectin, which was maintained for up to 72 hours, a time point at which versican was up-regulated significantly. Although P up-regulated collagen-1 protein (1.29 ± 0.04) within 24 hours of exposure, significant increase in all extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins was observed when the gonadal hormones were used concomitantly. Significant decrease in the amount of ECM proteins was observed on use of GnRH-a, LA and cetrorelix, with 24-hour exposure. Both the compounds also significantly decreased ECM protein concentration despite the presence of E2 or both gonadal hormones. CONCLUSION(S): This study demonstrates that GnRH-a directly affect the gonadal hormone-regulated collagen-1, fibronectin, and versican production in their presence. These findings suggest that localized therapy with GnRH-a may inhibit leiomyoma growth even in the presence of endogenous gonadal hormone exposure, thereby providing a mechanism to eliminate the hypoestrogenic side effects associated with GnRH-a therapy.

Mifepristone inhibits extracellular matrix formation in uterine leiomyoma.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the efficacy of mifepristone treatment on extracellular matrix (ECM) production in leiomyomas. DESIGN: Laboratory study. SETTING: University research laboratory. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): Treatment of human immortalized two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) leiomyoma and myometrial cells with mifepristone and the progestin promegestone (R5020). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of COL1A1, fibronectin, versican variant V0, and dermatopontin in treated leiomyoma cells by Western blot analysis and confirmatory immunohistochemistry staining of treated 3D cultures. RESULT(S): Treatment with progestin stimulated production of COL1A1, fibronectin, versican, and dermatopontin. Mifepristone treatment inhibited protein production of these genes, most notably with versican expression. Combination treatment with both the agonist and antagonist further inhibited protein expression of these genes. Immunohistochemistry performed on 3D cultures demonstrated generalized inhibition of ECM protein concentration. CONCLUSION(S): Our study demonstrated that the progesterone agonist R5020 directly stimulated extracellular matrix components COL1A1, fibronectin, versican, and dermatopontin production in human leiomyoma cells. Progesterone antagonist mifepristone decreased protein production of these genes to levels comparable with untreated leiomyoma cells.

Assessing the adequacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist leuprolide to trigger oocyte maturation and management of inadequate response.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with adequate versus inadequate response to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger rescued with the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) retrigger, and to identify risk factors associated with an inadequate trigger. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Private practice. PATIENT(S): Women at high risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome who underwent an autologous IVF cycle and used GnRH agonist to trigger oocyte maturation before oocyte retrieval. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were triggered with GnRH agonist for final oocyte maturation before retrieval. Patients with an inadequate response, defined by low post-trigger serum LH and P concentrations or failure to recover oocytes after aspiration of several follicles, were retriggered with hCG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, and live birth. RESULT(S): Two percent of patients triggered with GnRH agonist had an inadequate response and were retriggered with hCG. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical outcomes between the cycles that were retriggered with hCG and successful GnRH agonist triggers. Low body mass index, low baseline LH, and higher total dosage of gonadotropins required for stimulation were associated with an increased risk of having an inadequate response to the GnRH agonist trigger. CONCLUSION(S): A small minority of patients triggered with GnRH agonist had an inadequate response. Rescheduling of oocyte retrieval after hCG retrigger yielded similar IVF outcomes. Evaluation of trigger response based on serum LH and P concentrations is time dependent. Patient characteristics suggestive of hypothalamic hypofunction were predictive of an inadequate response to the GnRH agonist trigger.

Alternative therapies in management of leiomyomas.

Leiomyomas are benign soft-tissue neoplasms that arise from smooth muscle. Relief of symptoms (abnormal uterine bleeding, pain, pressure) is the major goal in management of women with significant symptoms. For symptomatic myomas, hysterectomy is a definitive solution; however, there are emerging less-invasive options. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery, cryomyolysis, and temporary occlusion of the uterine arteries are treatment options that are minimally invasive interventions with the benefit of preserving the uterus. This review summarizes procedure techniques, eligibility, complications, and outcomes of these alternate therapies.