A proof-of Concept, Randomized 3-month Study to Evaluate the Effects of Three Contraceptive Intrauterine Systems Delivering Copper and a Daily Dose of 5, 20 or 40 μg of Ulipristal Acetate (UPA)

Contraception Clinical Trial

Official title: A proof-of Concept, Randomized 3-month Study to Evaluate the Effects of Three Contraceptive Intrauterine Systems Delivering Copper and a Daily Dose of 5, 20 or 40 μg of Ulipristal Acetate (UPA) on Ovulation, Endometrial Changes and Bleeding Patterns in Normally Cycling Women

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The UPA doses to be tested in this new IUS, 5, 20 or 40 μg per day, are not expected to suppress ovulation, however they should prevent endometrial growth resulting in endometrial atrophy, minimal bleeding, or even amenorrhea. It is anticipated that with low UPA doses, women will continue to ovulate and secrete progesterone (P) during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. As a result, PRM associated endometrial changes (PAECs) that have been described in previous UPA studies when ovulation was suppressed and associated with amenorrhea should not occur and endometria should retain normalcy. These expectations are based on our findings from a previous study in which the UPA doses tested were insufficient to block ovulation and participants maintained P secretion with normal endometria (protocol 349). Further evidence regarding the benefit of using low doses of UPA in a copper IUS stems from a small rhesus macaque proof of principle study that included an UPA-IUS delivering 40 or 60 μg/d of UPA, and fixed doses of E2 and cyclic P delivered via implants over 3 cycles.24 Indices of endometrial proliferation were significantly reduced in 3 out of 5 animals in that study; the endometria were atrophied with some glandular cysts, and typical PAECs were limited. Glands were generally small and tubular, however, in some animals they were large and dilated; resembling cysts with minimal evidence of proliferative activity.24 No bleeding was observed in the treated monkeys during progesterone withdrawal over the 3 cycles.

Clinical Trial Description

Intrauterine devices (IUD) such as the Copper IUD (Paragard) and the levonorgestrel (LNG) IUS (Mirena®) are considered highly safe and effective long acting reversible methods of contraception (LARC). Nevertheless discontinuations are high due to user complaints of heavy bleeding during the first few months after insertion of IUDs or irregular bleeding in the first year of use of an IUS. To prevent these bleeding problems and enhance the overall safety profile, a new IUS is being developed that will deliver copper to provide its well described contraceptive efficacy in combination with UPA, a progesterone receptor modulator (PRM) that may decrease the amount of bleeding associated with use of a Cu IUD.

Since results of human studies delivering antiovulatory doses of UPA orally or with vaginal rings have shown endometrial changes characterized as typical PAECs, the occurrence of these endometrial effects with lower doses of the PRM delivered in the endometrium via this investigational IUS requires evaluation with both histology assessments and measures of proliferation markers. We need to determine if small doses of UPA administered locally with a new Cu-IUS with UPA can result in reduced bleeding or amenorrhea, as observed in the monkey study, and whether or not endometrial modifications occur. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Contraception

• NCT number: NCT03230539
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Population Council
• Contact: Ruth Merkatz, RN
• Phone: 212-327-8647
• Email: rmerkatz@popcouncil.org
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 1
• Start date: May 1, 2017
• Completion date: May 2018