Linzagolix therapy versus a placebo in patients with endometriosis-associated pain: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 study (EDELWEISS 3).

STUDY QUESTION: Does linzagolix administered orally once daily for up to 3 months at a dose of 75 mg alone or 200 mg in combination with add-back therapy (ABT) (1.0 mg estradiol; 0.5 mg norethindrone acetate, also known as norethisterone acetate [NETA]) demonstrate better efficacy than placebo in the management of endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain? SUMMARY ANSWER: Combining 200 mg linzagolix with ABT was found to significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain at 3 months of therapy, while a daily dose of 75 mg linzagolix yielded a significant decrease only in dysmenorrhea at 3 months. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY?: A previously published Phase 2, dose-finding study reported that at a dose of 200 mg daily, linzagolix promotes full suppression of estradiol secretion to serum levels below 20 pg/ml and noted that the addition of ABT may be needed to manage hypoestrogenic side effects. At lower doses (75 mg and 100 mg/day), linzagolix maintains estradiol values within the target range of 20-60 pg/ml, which could be ideal to alleviate symptoms linked to endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: EDELWEISS 3 was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of linzagolix for the treatment of moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain. Treatment was administered orally once daily for up to 6 months. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In the EDELWEISS 3 trial, 486 subjects with moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain were randomized at a 1:1:1 ratio to one of the three study groups: placebo, 75 mg linzagolix alone or 200 mg linzagolix in association with ABT. Pain was measured daily on a verbal rating scale and recorded in an electronic diary. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: At 3 months, the daily 200 mg linzagolix dose with ABT met the primary efficacy objective, showing clinically meaningful and statistically significant reductions in dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain, with stable or decreased use of analgesics. The proportion of responders for dysmenorrhea in the 200 mg linzagolix with ABT group was 72.9% compared with 23.5% in the placebo group (P < 0.001), while the rates of responders for non-menstrual pelvic pain were 47.3% and 30.9% (P = 0.007), respectively. The 75 mg linzagolix daily dose demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in dysmenorrhea versus placebo at 3 months. The proportion of responders for dysmenorrhea in the 75 mg linzagolix group was 44.0% compared with 23.5% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Although the 75 mg dose showed a trend toward reduction in non-menstrual pelvic pain at 3 months relative to the placebo, it was not statistically significant (P = 0.279). Significant improvements in dyschezia and overall pelvic pain were observed in both linzagolix groups when compared to placebo. Small improvements in dyspareunia scores were observed in both linzagolix groups but they were not significant. In both groups, hypoestrogenic effects were mild, with low rates of hot flushes and bone density loss of <1%. A daily dose of 200 mg linzagolix with ABT or 75 mg linzagolix alone was found to significantly reduce dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain also at 6 months of therapy. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Efficacy was compared between linzagolix groups and placebo; however, it would be useful to have results from comparative studies with estro-progestogens or progestogens. It will be important to ascertain whether gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists have significant benefits over traditional first-line medications. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Linzagolix administered orally once daily at a dose of 200 mg in combination with add-back therapy (ABT) demonstrated better efficacy and safety than placebo in the management of moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain. The quality of life was improved and the risks of bone loss and vasomotor symptoms were minimized due to the ABT. The 75 mg dose alone could be suitable for chronic treatment of endometriosis-associated pain without the need for concomitant hormonal ABT, but further research is needed to confirm this. If confirmed, it would offer a viable option for women who do not want to wish to have ABT or for whom it is contraindicated. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funding for the EDELWEISS 3 study was provided by ObsEva (Geneva, Switzerland). Analysis of data and manuscript writing were partially supported by ObsEva (Geneva, Switzerland), Theramex (London, UK) and Kissei (Japan) and grant 5/4/150/5 was awarded to M.-M.D. by FNRS. J.D. was a member of the scientific advisory board of ObsEva until August 2022, a member of the scientific advisory board of PregLem, and received personal fees from Gedeon Richter, ObsEva and Theramex. J.D. received consulting fees, speakers' fees, and travel support from Gedeon Richter, Obseva and Theramex, which was paid to their institution. C.B. has received fees from Theramex, Gedeon Richter, and Myovant, and travel support from Gedeon Richter-all funds went to the University of Oxford. He was a member of the data monitoring board supervising the current study, and served at an advisory board for endometriosis studies of Myovant. H.T. has received grants from Abbvie and was past president of ASRM. F.C.H. has received fees from Gedeon Richter and Theramex. O.D. received fees for lectures from Gedeon Richter and ObsEva and research grants for clinical studies from Preglem and ObsEva independent from the current study. A.H. has received grants from NIHR, UKRI, CSO, Wellbeing of Women, and Roche Diagnostics; he has received fees from Theramex. A.H.'s institution has received honoraria for consultancy from Roche Diagnostics, Gesynta, and Joii. M.P. has nothing to declare. F.P. has received fees from Theramex. S.P.R. has been a member of the scientific advisory board of Gedeon Richter and received fees from Gedeon Richter. A.P. and M.B. are employees of Theramex. E.B. was an employee of ObsEva, sponsor chair of the data monitoring board supervising the current study, and has been working as a consultant for Theramex since December 2022; she owns stock options in ObsEva. M.-M.D. has received fees and travel support from Gedeon Richter and Theramex. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03992846. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: 20 June 2019. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT'S ENROLLMENT: 13 June 2019.

Uterine fibroid-related infertility: mechanisms and management.

Fibroids are a common pathology and increasingly observed in women seeking medical treatment for infertility. The longer reproductive horizon because of improvements in medical care and current trend for women to postpone childbearing are making fibroid-related infertility increasingly common. This review aimed to critically analyze the association between uterine fibroids and infertility, mechanisms by which uterine fibroids may impair fertility, and management of myoma-related infertility. The association of fibroids with infertility is a source of controversy. As the focus of this review is infertility, it is crucial to analyze the mechanisms by which fertility may be impaired by the presence of fibroids. Current management strategies involve mainly surgical interventions, including myomectomy by hysteroscopy, laparotomy, or laparoscopy, and nonsurgical approaches, such as uterine artery embolization and focused ultrasound performed under radiologic or echographic guidance. The risks and benefits of each option should be discussed with patients, and several factors need to be considered, including the skills of surgeons and availability of different resources in various centers. Concerning the efficacy of oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (i.e., elagolix, relugolix, and linzagolix), they were shown to have a rapid impact on heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in >70% of women. When used without add-back therapy, these drugs cause a significant reduction in fibroid volume, namely, approximately 50% from baseline to week 24. Further studies are required to determine the best protocol and optimal dosage if a reduction in myoma volume is the main goal, as in case of myoma-related infertility.

Pathogenesis of uterine fibroids: current understanding and future directions.

Fibroids are benign uterine tumors characterized by the proliferation of uterine smooth muscle cells, embedded in an abundant extracellular matrix. Their prevalence is estimated to be >50% in women aged >45 years. Fibroids represent a considerable health burden. It is time to acquire a deeper mechanistic understanding of uterine fibroid-related etiology and pathogenesis, which may help pinpoint new strategies and an individualized approach. There is a need to gather prospective data and conduct studies to compare alternative approaches and assess long-term outcomes with respect to quality of life, recurrence of symptoms (bleeding and bulk symptoms), fertility, and even complications The goal of this review was to evaluate the widely accepted pathogenesis and identify risks factors and future directions for clinical and basic research into fibroids.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis: Similarities and differences.

Deep endometriosis and uterine adenomyosis are two frequently encountered conditions affecting approximately 200 million women worldwide. They are closely related, showing similar histological patterns and multiple common pathogenic features, and share the same symptoms. It is therefore not surprising that they are often thought to have a common developmental origin. Indeed, both deep endometriosis and adenomyosis appear to derive from estrogen-dependent overproliferation of endometrial tissue and its subsequent implantation in ectopic sites. Although the scientific community has shown increasing interest in these diseases over recent years, neither pathogenesis has yet been elucidated, so there are currently no efficient treatment options. Understanding the mechanisms underlying disease development, as well as discerning their relationship, are key to improving clinical management for millions of patients. The aims of this review are to summarize current knowledge on deep endometriosis and adenomyosis pathogeneses and discuss the possibility that these two entities are actually differential phenotypes of the same disease.

Impact of human ovarian tissue manipulation on follicles: evidence of a potential first wave of follicle activation during fertility preservation procedures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of processing human ovarian tissue on follicle activation dynamics. METHODS: Fresh ovarian tissue was retrieved from 9 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign conditions. Biopsies from each patient were divided into 3 fragments, the first of which was immediately fixed in the operating room (T0) and the second and third just after processing at 25 (T25) and (T90) 90 min. To evaluate follicle activation, markers of the PI3K and Hippo signaling pathways were immunolabeled at each time point, targeting phospho-Akt (p-Akt) by immunohistochemistry and yes-associated protein (YAP) cellular localization in the granulosa cell layer by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Four hundred forty primordial follicles were evaluated for p-Akt and 420 for YAP. Significantly stronger p-Akt expression was observed at T25 (23.01 ± 13.45%; p=0.04) and T90 (38.99 ± 25.21%; p<0.001) than at T0 (2.72 ± 3.35%). A significant nucleus-to-cytoplasm shift in YAP was detected at T25 (1.21 ± 0.25; p=0.015 compared to T0 (0.95 ± 0.09), while T90 (1.10 ± 0.16) values were similar to T25. CONCLUSION: Our data prove that ovarian tissue manipulation significantly impacts follicle dynamics by stimulating the PI3K and Hippo signaling pathways involved in primordial follicle activation. Further experimental evidence must nevertheless be gathered to understand and gain control of follicle activation mechanisms in non-physiological conditions (like ovarian tissue manipulation), in order to optimize fertility preservation and restoration strategies.

Are lower levels of apoptosis and autophagy behind adenomyotic lesion survival?

RESEARCH QUESTION: How are markers of cell death, invasiveness and progesterone signalling expressed in endometrium and ectopic lesions from adenomyosis patients? DESIGN: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was collected from 15 control and 15 adenomyosis participants . To assess cell survival capacity, caspase 3 and microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) were immunolabelled as markers of apoptosis and autophagy respectively. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression served as a marker of extracellular matrix degradation and invasion activity. Progesterone receptors were immunostained to detect evidence of progesterone resistance. RESULTS: Caspase 3 expression was significantly lower in the stromal (P = 0.0013) and epithelial (P = 0.0157) compartments of adenomyotic lesions than in healthy endometrial tissue. In the stroma, caspase 3 expression was significantly weaker in lesions than in corresponding eutopic endometrium (P = 0.0006). LC3B immunostaining was significantly decreased in adenomyotic stroma compared with corresponding eutopic endometrium (P = 0.0349). A significantly higher expression of MMP9 was detected in eutopic stroma from adenomyosis patients than in healthy tissue (P = 0.0295). Progesterone receptor immunostaining was found to be significantly weaker in the stroma of endometrium and ectopic lesions from adenomyosis patients than disease-free women (P = 0.0001; P = 0.0021). CONCLUSIONS: Adenomyotic lesions show lower levels of apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting that aberrant cell survival may be involved in disease pathogenesis. MMP9 appears to contribute to endometrial invasiveness in adenomyosis, as its expression is more pronounced in endometrium from these women than women without the disease. Evidence of progesterone resistance can be found in endometrium and ectopic lesions from adenomyosis patients, and may drive disease development and account for the failure of certain patients to respond to progestogens.

Assessment of folliculogenesis in ovarian tissue from young patients with Turner syndrome using a murine xenograft model.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of aneuploid granulosa and stromal cells on folliculogenesis of small ovarian follicles from patients with mosaic Turner syndrome (TS) using a murine xenograft model. DESIGN: Laboratory study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Ovarian cortical tissue was obtained by laparoscopic surgery from 18 patients with mosaic TS (aged 5-19 years) and 13 controls (aged 5-18 years). INTERVENTION(S): Part of each tissue fragment was used to karyotype ovarian cells in nongrafted tissue by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The remaining tissue was xenografted to severe combined immunodeficient mice for 5 months. Grafted tissue was analyzed for aneuploidy, and follicle density and morphology were determined. Expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and anti-Müllerian hormone were investigated by immunohistochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The impact of aneuploid granulosa and stromal cells on folliculogenesis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of ovarian tissue before grafting was performed to determine the level of aneuploidy in stromal cells and oocytes and granulosa of small follicles. After xenografting, the level of aneuploidy of the newly formed layers of granulosa cells was again determined in secondary and antral follicles. RESULT(S): Follicle density in ovarian tissue from patients with TS was significantly lower than in controls before grafting. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis confirmed that 101 of 104 oocytes from nongrafted tissue of patients with TS showed normal X chromosome content, whereas granulosa and stromal cells were mainly 45,X. Fragments from 12 patients with TS contained follicles at all stages after xenografting, including secondary and antral follicles. Follicle density in patients with TS and controls decreased significantly after grafting. Moreover, a shift from high to low proportions of 45,X granulosa cells was observed during folliculogenesis. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in follicles from patients with TS increased significantly during grafting. Secretion of anti-Müllerian hormone was impaired before grafting in peripubertal/postpubertal girls with TS, but recovered after grafting. CONCLUSION(S): Our study showed that small follicles from patients with mosaic TS undergoes folliculogenesis, despite the presence of aneuploid granulosa and stromal cells. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation could therefore be a valid option to preserve fertility in young patients with mosaic TS if sufficient numbers of follicles are present, thus preferably before the age of 12.

Could IVF replace reproductive surgery? No, reproductive surgery is still very much alive.

Could IVF replace reproductive surgery? The answer is no. Reproductive surgery still has a place, at least in some indications that will be explored in this contribution. While IVF can offer infertile couples the chance to have a healthy baby, it should be acknowledged that reproductive surgery can heal or harm the organs where reproduction takes place. This paper reviews different diseases and conditions with an impact on fertility, which may benefit from the technological innovations of recent decades, novel applications and the skill of reproductive surgeons. Reproductive surgery is certainly not dead. It lives on with the promise of restoring the functional anatomy to enhance the chances of pregnancy. It is our responsibility to train young residents adequately in this field to provide the right treatment at the right time.

M2 macrophages enhance endometrial cell invasiveness by promoting collective cell migration in uterine adenomyosis.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Are M2 macrophages implicated in endometrial invasiveness in adenomyosis? DESIGN: Seventeen formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded uterine samples and 16 fresh endometrial biopsies were collected from women with or without adenomyosis. Double immunofluorescence was performed to determine the predominant macrophage population in adenomyosis between M1 and M2 phenotypes. The invasion capacity of endometrial cells was assessed by invasion assays and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for genes involved in cell motility and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Specific mechanisms of invasion were investigated by immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin, N-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). RESULTS: Only M2 macrophages were found to accumulate in adenomyosis, in higher numbers in both eutopic endometrium (P = 0.0109) and lesions (P = 0.0267) than healthy tissue. Co-culture with M2 macrophages significantly boosted invasion capacity in endometrial epithelial (P = 0.0002; P = 0.002) and stromal cells (P = 0.0469; P = 0.0047) from both adenomyosis patients and healthy controls. No gene expression differences indicating EMT were noted, either between co-cultured and control cells, or between healthy and adenomyotic cells. E- and N-cadherin protein expression did not differ significantly between endometrium from adenomyosis subjects and healthy tissue but MMP9 expression was increased in eutopic stroma from adenomyosis patients (P = 0.0492). In adenomyosis, both E-cadherin (P = 0.0379) and N-cadherin (P = 0.0196) were more extensively expressed in basal glands than functional glands. CONCLUSIONS: M2 macrophages accumulate in adenomyosis and enhance invasion capacity of adenomyotic and even healthy endometrial cells, implying that macrophage infiltration alone may be sufficient to promote the disease. This study failed to detect any changes pointing to EMT, suggesting an alternative mode of invasion. Strong E- and N-cadherin-positive intercellular junctions in basal (invasive) glands suggest the involvement of collective cell migration in the invasion process of endometrium.

Profile of Linzagolix in the Management of Endometriosis, Including Design, Development and Potential Place in Therapy: A Narrative Review.

Estrogens play a critical role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and it is logical to assume that lowering estradiol levels with oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists may prove effective, especially in women who fail to respond to progestogens. Indeed, due to progesterone resistance, oral contraceptives and progestogens work well in two-thirds of women suffering from endometriosis, but are ineffective in 33% of women. Oral GnRH antagonists have therefore been evaluated for management of premenopausal women with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. The first publication on these drugs reported the efficacy of elagolix. The present paper is a narrative review of linzagolix, which is an orally administered GnRH receptor antagonist with low pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic variability. It binds to and blocks the GnRH receptor in the pituitary gland, resulting in a dose-dependent drop in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production. This reduction in LH and FSH levels in turn leads to a dose-dependent decline in estrogen. Phase 2 and 3 trials are reviewed and discussed here. There is a place for GnRH antagonists in the management of symptomatic endometriosis, and linzagolix with or without add-back therapy (ABT) is one option that can be used at low doses, avoiding the need for ABT, which is contraindicated in some patients.

Follicle outcomes in human ovarian tissue: effect of freezing, culture, and grafting.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of freezing, in vitro culture (IVC) and grafting to chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) on follicle outcomes in human ovarian tissue. DESIGN: An experimental study. SETTING: University-based research laboratory. PATIENTS: Fresh and cryopreserved ovarian tissue from 10 patients was donated to research with their consent and institutional review board approval. INTERVENTIONS: Fresh and frozen-thawed ovarian cortical pieces were in vitro-cultured and compared (fresh-IVC vs FT-IVC). The FT-IVC fragments were then examined against fragments grafted to CAM (FT-CAM). After both IVC and CAM grafting, ovarian cortical pieces (4×2×1 mm3) were analyzed on days 0, 1, and 6. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Follicle analyses included histology (count and classification) and immunohistochemistry (Ki67 [proliferation], caspase-3 [apoptosis], 1A and 1B light chain 3B [autophagy], p-Akt, FOXO1, and p-rpS6 [PI3K activation]). Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction further explored expression of PI3K pathway- and oocyte-related genes in tissue sections. RESULTS: No major differences were detected between fresh-IVC and FT-IVC tissues in any conducted analyses. Although a significant drop was observed in primordial follicle (PF) proportions in the fresh-IVC and FT-IVC groups (d0 vs. d6, P<.002), they held steady in the FT-CAM group (d0 vs. d6, P>.05). The PF rates were also significantly higher in the FT-CAM group than the FT-IVC group on d6 (P=.02). Importantly, avian erythrocytes were already present in 30% of implants from d1. Apoptotic and autophagic follicle rates increased during IVC (P<.008), but remained significantly lower in the FT-CAM group (P<.01), confirming superior follicle preservation in CAM-grafted tissue. Upregulation of the PI3K/FOXO pathway was established in the IVC groups, demonstrating PF activation, whereas significant pathway downregulation was detected in the FT-CAM group (P<.03). The droplet digital polymerase chain reaction tests confirmed oocyte growth during IVC and follicle autophagy in all groups; however, the PI3K pathway appeared to be differentially modulated in tissues and follicles. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro culture induces PF depletion with no additional impact of freezing. Grafting to CAM preserves the PF pool by curbing follicle activation, apoptosis, and autophagy, probably thanks to rapid graft revascularization and/or the circulating embryonic antimüllerian hormone. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing neoangiogenesis in ovarian grafts and investigating the potential benefits of administering antimüllerian hormone to prevent PF burnout.

Emerging Drug Targets for Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing distressing symptoms and requiring a life-long management strategy. The objective of this review is to evaluate endometriosis-related pathways and identify novel therapies to treat it. We focused on the crucial role of inflammation and inflammatory molecules in order to define new perspectives for non-hormonal treatment of the disease by targeting inflammation, nuclear factor kappa B and cytokines, or reactive oxygen species, apoptotic and autophagic pathways, regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis and neuroangiogenesis. Novel non-steroidal therapies targeting these pathways for endometriosis were explored, but multiple challenges remain. While numerous agents have been investigated in preclinical trials, few have reached the clinical testing stage because of use of inappropriate animal models, with no proper study design or reporting of preclinical strategies. Targeting estrogens is still the best way to control endometriosis progression and inflammation.

Uterine disorders and iron deficiency anemia.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a clinical entity which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Classification according to the acronym PALM-COEIN (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy, and hyperplasia; coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial, iatrogenic, and not otherwise classified) provides a structured approach to establish the cause of AUB. The goal of this review is to discuss the different mechanisms and the relationship between uterine disorders and AUB. Heavy menstrual bleeding, a subgroup of AUB, is more closely related to the presence of uterine fibroids. The relationship between heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine fibroids remains poorly characterized, particularly the understanding of endometrial function in women with structural myometrial features such as leiomyomas. A number of theories have been proposed in the literature and are discussed in this review. Uterine adenomyosis is also a frequent cause of AUB, and its pathogenesis is still far from being fully elucidated. The mechanisms contributing to its development are multifactorial. Many theories lean toward invasion of the myometrium by endometrial cells. Both clinical and basic studies favor the theory of direct invasion, although de novo development of adenomyosis from Müllerian rests or stem cells has not been ruled out. Development of adenomyotic lesions involves repeated tissue injury and repair. In addition, this review describes the other causes of AUB such as endometrial polyps, cesarean scar defects, and uterine vascular abnormalities. Endometrial polyps are often asymptomatic, but approximately 68% of women have concomitant AUB. Histologic alterations in the lower uterine segment in patients who had undergone cesarean sections were identified and may explain the cause of AUB.

Linzagolix with and without hormonal add-back therapy for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: two randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids are common non-cancerous neoplasm that cause heavy menstrual bleeding and other signs. Linzagolix is an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist taken once per day that dose-dependently suppresses gonadal steroids and might reduce uterine-fibroid-associated signs. Two phase 3 trials were conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety of linzagolix at full-suppression (200 mg) and partial-suppression (100 mg) doses with or without hormonal add-back therapy (1 mg oestradiol and 0·5 mg norethisterone acetate) compared with placebo for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. METHODS: PRIMROSE 1 and PRIMROSE 2 were identical 52-week, randomised, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials conducted at clinics in the USA (PRIMROSE 1) and Europe and the USA (PRIMROSE 2). Eligible women with uterine fibroid-associated heavy menstrual bleeding (menstrual blood loss >80 mL per cycle) were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1:1 ratio to one of five masked treatments: (1) placebo, (2) 100 mg linzagolix per day alone, (3) 100 mg linzagolix per day with once-per-day hormonal add-back therapy (1 mg oestradiol and 0·5 mg norethisterone acetate), (4) 200 mg linzagolix per day alone, or (5) 200 mg linzagolix per day with once-per-day hormonal add-back therapy (1 mg oestradiol and 0·5 mg norethisterone acetate). The primary endpoint was a response (menstrual blood loss ≤80 mL and ≥50% reduction from baseline) at 24 weeks in women who received at least one dose of treatment and did not meet any exclusion criteria based on predosing assessments. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03070899 and NCT03070951). The trials have been completed. FINDINGS: Between May, 2017, and October, 2020, in PRIMROSE 1, 574 women were enrolled, of which 48 discontinued and 15 were excluded; therefore, 511 women were included in the full analysis set; and in PRIMROSE 2, 535 women were enrolled, of which 24 did not receive the study drug and ten women were excluded from the study, resulting in 501 women being included in the full analysis set. In both trials, a significantly higher proportion of women had a reduction in heavy menstrual bleeding in all linzagolix (with or without add-back therapy) treatment groups compared with the placebo group (p≤0·003). In PRIMROSE 1, the response rates were 56·4% (95% CI 45·8-66·6%) in the 100 mg group, 66·4% (56·6-75·2%) in the 100 mg plus add-back therapy group, 71·4% (61·8-79·8%) in the 200 mg group, and 75·5% (66·0-83·5%) in the 200 mg plus add-back therapy group, compared with 35·0% (25·8-45·0%) in the placebo group. In PRIMROSE 2, the response rates were 56·7% (46·3-66·7%) in the 100 mg group, 77·2% (67·8-85·0%) in the 100 mg plus add-back therapy group, 77·7% (68·4-85·3%) in the 200 mg group, and 93·9% (87·1-97·7%) in the 200 mg plus add-back therapy group, compared with 29·4% (20·8-39·3%) with placebo. The most common adverse events up to 24 weeks were hot flushes (35% of participants in PRIMROSE 1 and 32% in PRIMROSE 2 with linzagolix [200 mg] alone and 3-14% in all other groups). INTERPRETATION: Linzagolix (100 mg or 200 mg) with or without add-back therapy significantly reduced heavy menstrual bleeding. Partial suppression with once-per-day linzagolix (100 mg) without add-back therapy potentially provides a unique option for the chronic treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids in women who cannot or do not want to take concomitant hormonal add-back therapy. FUNDING: ObsEva.

Transplantation of Refrozen Ovarian Cortical Strips Retrieved from a Cryopreserved Whole Ovary: Proof of Feasibility.

We report successful clinical outcomes after transplantation of refrozen-rethawed cortical strips from a cryopreserved whole ovary in a patient diagnosed with stage IIIb rectal adenocarcinoma. Whole ovary cryopreservation was proposed as a fertility preservation strategy in 2006 prior to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and oncological surgery. To allow for minimal residual disease screening before ovarian reimplantation, the whole ovary was thawed and dissected into cortical strips. While awaiting the results, the majority of the cortical strips were refrozen. These refrozen-rethawed cortical strips were laparoscopically grafted to 2 sites: the previously irradiated pelvic cavity and the non-irradiated extrapelvic cavity. Ovarian function resumption was assessed by recovery of menses, hormone levels, ultrasound and oocyte pick-up following controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Restoration of ovarian function occurred 6 months after reimplantation, with recovery of menses and estradiol secretion. A total of 12 cycles were followed by the IVF department. A second reimplantation was performed 1.5 years later, since the grafts were found to have stopped functioning for >3 consecutive months. Overall, 3 fertilizable oocytes were retrieved transabdominally from the extrapelvic graft following COS, yielding 2 embryos and culminating in one fresh embryo transfer, but no pregnancy. Concerning the reimplantation site, no ovarian activity was detected in the graft placed in the previously irradiated pelvic cavity. Indeed, only fibrotic-looking tissue was observed in the pelvic site at second laparoscopy 1.5 years later, while ovarian activity was noted in the extrapelvic graft, showing a large antral follicle. All in all, transplantation of refrozen-rethawed cortical strips from a cryopreserved whole ovary can lead to ovarian function resumption and embryo development if grafted to a non-irradiated field.

ENDO_STAGE Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Classification to Screen Endometriosis.

Introduction: Transvaginal sonography is the first-line imaging technique to diagnose endometriosis, but magnetic resonance imaging is more accurate in staging the extent of lesions, especially for deep pelvic endometriosis. The revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Enzian classifications are commonly used to stage the extent of endometriosis. However, a review underlined their weaknesses in terms of complexity, lack of clinical reproducibility and low correlation with surgical complications and fertility outcomes. Thus, to this day, in clinical practice, there is a lack of consensual, standardized or common nomenclature to stage the extent of endometriosis, posing a worldwide challenge. Objectives: The aims of our study were to: (i) develop a new classification (entitled Endo-Stage MRI) based on patterns of endometriosis as observed with magnetic resonance imaging; (ii) compare results with those of the rASRM classification; (iii) estimate the Endo-Stage MRI accuracy to predict the rate of surgical complications; and (iv) propose an Endo-Stage MRI system of triage (low, intermediate, high) that correlates with the risk of surgical complications. The goal is to improve the effectiveness of care pathways and allow for the planning of a multidisciplinary approach when necessary. Patients and methods: A single-center observational study using available clinical and imaging data. According to anatomical locations and the extent of endometriotic lesions, a standardized classification comprising six stages of severity (0-5) was designed. Results: A total of 751 patients with pelvic endometriosis underwent surgery from January 2013 to December 2018 in a tertiary care university hospital. Their Endo-Stage MRI classification was correlated with: (i) the rate of overall complications (grade I-IV Clavien-Dindo classification, (ii) the rate of major complications (grades III-IV) and (iii) the rate of voiding dysfunction requiring self-catheterization lasting more than one month. According to the Endo-Stage MRI classification, stages 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were observed in 26 (3%), 156 (21%), 40 (5%), 22 (3%), 290 (39%) and 217 (29%) patients, respectively. Using the proposed Endo-Stage MRI system as triage, low (stages 0-2), intermediate (stages 3-4) and high-risk (stage 5), complications were observed in 29 (13%), 109 (34.9%) and 103 (47.4%) patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the Endo-Stage MRI system of triage was strongly predictive of surgical complications and achieved higher accuracy than the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification (AUC: 0.78 (95% CI, 0.76-0.80) vs. 0.61 (95% CI, 0.58-0.64)). Conclusion: Our study proposes a new imaging classification of endometriosis coined Endo-Stage MRI classification. The results suggest that when applied to a clinical situation, it may improve care pathways by providing crucial information for identifying intermediate and/or high-risk stages of endometriosis with increased rates of surgical complications. To make this classification applicable, a multicentric validation study is necessary to assess the relevancy and clinical value of the current anatomical MRI classification.