ENDOMETRIAL SAFETY OF ULIPRISTAL ACETATE TREATMENT FOR SYMPTOMATIC UTERINE FIBROIDS IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction: Symptomatic uterine fibroids can cause symptoms that can be disabling. There are many treatments, including ulipristal acetate, whose role in reducing symptoms and decreasing the size of the fibroid is well known. With this preliminary study, we also try to evaluate the correlation between myoma vascularization measured by ultrasound (Power Doppler 2D) and serum VEGF levels, before and after treatment with ulipristal acetate; in patients diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: A preliminary, prospective observational pilot study was designed. Twenty-four premenopausal women, diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids, were included and all of them completed the study. Four cycles of ulipristal acetate were administered according to the dose and indications specified in the data sheet. In order to assess the influence of this treatment on the angiogenesis process of the fibroids, measurements of VEGF serum levels were made and their vascularization was assessed by means of 2D power doppler ultrasound; at the beginning and the end of treatment. In addition, several determinations of the same parameters were made throughout the successive visits. Endpoints were defined as the decrease in VEGF levels from previous levels, the decrease in myoma vascularization on ultrasound, and the reduction in myoma size. Result: 24 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled (n=24). The average size of myomas was reduced from 45,08 ? 24,02mm to 29?16,96mm after treatment. The average VEGF serum level significantly decreased after the first treatment cycle (from 147,17 ? 153,51 pg/ml to 102,04 ? 186,08pg/ml). Vascularization of myomas after treatment with ulipristal acetate was analyzed, and a significantly decrease was achieved in 83,3% of cases. Conclusion: There is a correlation between myoma vascularization and treatment with Ulipristal acetate. SPRMs may provide effective treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids by two ways: supports selective progesterone receptor modulators and reduced angiogenesis. Keywords: Angiogenesis; Ulipristal Acetate; Uterine fibroids; VEGF

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Effect of a Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulator on Induction of Apoptosis in Uterine Fibroids In Vivo

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2012/436174 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Petr Horak ◽

Michal Mara ◽

Pavel Dundr ◽

Kristyna Kubinova ◽

David Kuzel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Uterine Fibroids ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Hormonal Treatment ◽

Control Groups ◽

Ulipristal Acetate ◽

Receptor Modulator ◽

Positive Clinical Effect ◽

The Mean ◽

And Control

Aim. To determine if hormonal treatment induces apoptosis in uterine fibroids.Methods. Immunohistochemical examination of fibroid tissue, using avidin-biotin complex and cleaved caspase-3 antibody for detecting apoptosis, was performed in premenopausal women who underwent 12-week treatment with oral SPRM (6 patients with 5 mg and 5 patients with 10 mg of ulipristal acetate per day) or gonadoliberin agonist (GnRHa, 17 patients) and subsequent myomectomy or hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Ten patients with no presurgical hormonal treatment were used as controls.Results. Apoptosis was present in a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with ulipristal acetate compared to GnRHa (P=0.01) and to patients with no hormonal treatment (P=0.01). In contrast to an AI of 158.9 in SPRM patients, the mean AI was 27.5 and 2.0 in GnRHa and control groups, respectively. No statistical difference in the AI was observed between the two groups of patients treated with ulipristal acetate (5 mg or 10 mg).Conclusion. Treatment with ulipristal acetate induces apoptosis in uterine fibroid cells. This effect of SPRM may contribute to their positive clinical effect on uterine fibroids.

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