View clinical trials related to Leiomyoma.
Filter by:Uterine leiomyomas are the leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States, accounting for over 200,000 procedures each year. Most epidemiologic studies of uterine leiomyoma show that parity has a protective association with leiomyoma, but the mechanism is not known. Both epidemiologic data and data from an animal model indicate that the protective association is not an artifact resulting from reduced fertility among women with fibroids. We hypothesize that the process of uterine regression following delivery results in loss of small fibroids due to selective apoptosis of transformed cells and the extensive remodeling of the entire uterus.
Uterine leiomyomas, commonly called fibroids, are a major health concern for women of reproductive age. The objectives of the study described herein are to investigate the growth dynamics of uterine leiomyomas in a clinically relevant population of women. We will test the hypotheses that uterine leiomyomas are heterogeneous in terms of their growth characteristics and in their clinical symptoms or outcomes, and that differences in leiomyoma growth dynamics can be discriminated by molecular markers and cellular phenotypes. Participants will include 300 premenopausal women (greater than 18 years old) with at least one uterine leiomyoma. The inclusion criteria for patient enrollment is confirmed diagnosis of leiomyoma by ultrasound. At least one leiomyoma must be equal to or greater than 2 cm in diameter and the uterus must be enlarged to the size typical during the eigth week of pregnancy. After enrollment and informed consent, T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans will be conducted beginning at the first visit and then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Each patient will have a physical exam, provide urine and blood samples at each MRI visit, and respond to an initial extensive telephone-administered questionnaire followed by abbreviated monthly questionnaire updates. A number of the enrolled women will require surgical intervention (hysterectomy/myomectomy) as standard care. If surgery is an outcome for women enrolled in the study, MRI will be conducted before surgery and the surgical pathologist will map uterine leiomyomas for comparison to MRI. Leiomyoma samples will be analyzed for histopathological and molecular changes correlated with growth. Because hysterectomy and myomectomy are common outcomes in women with leiomyomas, we anticipate tissue will be available from at least 100 of the 300 women in the study. For those women who opt for surgery, we will also administer a brief (less than 5 minute) questionnaire clarifying their reason for electing surgery. Upon completion of data collection, we will be able to compare leiomyoma growth as a function of multiplicity and location; examine the relationship between leiomyoma growth and clinical symptoms or outcome; identify molecular, cellular, and pathological characteristics of leiomyomas with differing growth dynamics; and examine endocrinological parameters and lifestyle factors related to differential growth dynamics of uterine leiomyomas. The data may be used to establish a clinical severity scale and establish diagnostic markers currently not available for uterine leiomyomas.
The proposed study is designed to estimate the proportion of 35-49 year-old women in a large urban health plan who have had fibroids. The membership of the health plan is approximately 45% black, so estimates for black and white women can be compared. Risk factors for the condition will be studied, and uterine tissue from women having hysterectomies or myomectomies will be studied to identify genetic, hormonal, and protein mediators of tumor growth. A randomly selected sample of about 1800 women age 35-49 who are members of the George Washington University Health Plan will be invited to participate. Presence of leiomyomas for premenopausal participants with no prior diagnosis of leiomyoma will be determined by an ultrasound examination. Presence of leiomyomas for premenopausal women who report a prior diagnosis of fibroids will be determined by ultrasound evidence in their medical record when available, and by self-report when not available. History of fibroids in postmenopausal women will be based on pathology records for those with surgical menopause and on radiology records or self-report for the small number of naturally postmenopausal women. Estimates of the proportion who have or have had fibroids will be compared for blacks and whites. To examine risk factors for leiomyoma we will conduct a case-control analysis. Cases will be those women identified with leiomyoma from the random sample, supplemented by women in the same age range who have hysterectomies or myomectomies during the study period and hose excised uteri show evidence of fibroids on standard pathology examination. Women from the random sample with ultrasound or pathology evidence showing no uterine fibroids will constitute the control group. Controls will be compared to cases grouped by size of largest fibroid and grouped by clinical. A telephone interview and self-administered questionnaire will provide information on demographic factors, medical history, dietary intake, reproductive history, life style factors, and occupational/environmental exposures. Blood will be collected from premenopausal women to measure lipids, insulin, and potential susceptibility genes. Urine will also be collected from premenopausal women early in their menstrual cycles to measure gonadotropin levels. Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, and waist-to-hip ration will be measured. Tissue from surgical specimens will be use by collaborators at NIEHS to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis, genetic factors, estrogen and progesterone receptor levels, protein markers of estrogen action, and growth factors.
Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) represent a major public health problem with few effective therapies. Currently, the only definitive treatment is hysterectomy and women are demanding alternative therapies to surgery. We have developed a new approach to the treatment of uterine fibroids based on collaborative laboratory research into the molecular, ultra-structural, and histopathologic changes that occur with the transformation of normal uterine myocytes into abnormal myocytes comprising uterine fibroids. We have confirmed that excessive, dysregulated collagen production (fibrosis) and abnormal collagen deposition is an underlying etiology in the pathogenesis of leiomyoma. We will test the hypothesis that an anti-tumor drug (Pirfenidone) will decrease the size of clinically relevant leiomyomas by 30%. The specific aim is to compare the effects of pirfenidone with placebo on uterine leiomyoma volume. Thirty-two (32) women will be randomized in a double-blinded treatment design. Inclusion criteria include women that have completed child-bearing, who are candidates for hysterectomy, are using effective contraceptive, and have at least one uterine leiomyoma greater than 4 cm diameter confirmed by ultrasound. Women will be excluded if they have a body mass index greater than 33 kg/m(2), other gynecological diseases, and history of cardiovascular disease or smoking. Response in each treatment group will be assessed by T-2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3-D ultrasound imaging studies during the enrollment period. To our knowledge, this will be the first study to document the response of large fibroids to a short-term trial of an anti-tumor drug. The data will be used to further define the role of fibrosis in leiomyoma and establish other clinical trials to thoroughly evaluate such therapeutic approaches for uterine leiomyomas.
The goal of this study is to validate the new ExAblate Application software V4.2 by developing additional data that shows the safety of this treatment. The ExAblate is intended to ablate uterine fibroid tissue in pre- or peri-menopausal women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who desire a uterine sparing procedure. Patients must have a uterine size of less than 24 weeks and not seeking treatment for reasons of improving fertility.
This study will evaluate whether the experimental drug ulipristal acetate can shrink uterine fibroids in pre-menopausal women.
This is a prospective, nonrandomized, multi-center study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ExAblate in the treatment of uterine fibroids. All patients will be treated and then followed for 36 months to evaluate the change in their fibroid symptoms.
This study was designed to determine the safety and effectiveness of 3 asoprisnil doses compared to placebo, taken for 12 weeks by women with uterine fibroids.
The objective of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of asoprisnil in symptomatic women with abnormal uterine bleeding associated with uterine fibroids.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether ablation of uterine fibroids with MR guided focused ultrasound following 3 months pre-treatment with Gonadotrophin releasing analogues will allow the effective use of this therapy in women with larger fibroids.