A prospective, randomized, controlled study to explore the efficacy and safety of using either corifollitropin alfa 150 mcg or daily recombinant follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) 300 international unit (IU) for the stimulation treatment of subjects undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation prior to IVF. The study is designed as a non-inferiority trial. The sample size for this trial of 400 subjects, in both groups, being treated for one IVF cycle is based upon the primary endpoint of the number of oocytes retrieved.
Stimulation regimen and assisted reproductive technology procedures Corifollitropin Alfa Group: On day 2 or day 3 of the menstrual cycle, a single subcutaneous injection of corifollitropin alfa 150 mg/ 0.5 mL is administered (stimulation day 1). FSH Group: Daily subcutaneous injections with recombinant FSH (Follitropin Beta) 300 international units (IU) is started on On day 2 or day 3 of the menstrual cycle (stimulation day 1) and continue up to and including stimulation day 7. From stimulation day 8 onwards, subjects from both treatment groups will continue with a daily subcutaneous dose of FSH up to the day before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration or gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist administration day. The maximum FSH dose to continue treatment after the first 7 days is 300 IU, but the dose could be reduced when desired. To prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (ganirelix acetate subcutaneous injection, 0.25 mg/ 0.5 mL) is administered, starting on stimulation day 5. As soon as at least three follicles of 17 mm are observed by ultrasound, hCG or a GnRH agonist will be used for final oocyte maturation at the same day. hCG is used if 3-18 follicles and 0.2 mg triptorelin is administered if ≥ 19 follicles \>11 mm are observed. About 34-36 hours thereafter, oocyte retrieval followed by IVF or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed. Three days after oocyte pick-up, 2 to 3 fresh embryos will be transferred. If patients have high progesterone level on day of trigger (progesterone level \> 1,5 ng/ml), risk of OHSS and unfavorable endometrium, fresh transfers will be cancelled and freeze all will be recommended. Patients using hCG for final oocyte maturation will receive luteal phase support with progestogen gel (90 mg once daily) intra-vaginally and estradiol (4 mg/day orally, twice daily) initiated on the day of oocyte retrieval or the day thereafter. Patients, using GnRH agonist for triggering, will have fresh transfer with intense luteal phase support of estradiol and progesterone (receive intense luteal phase support with estradiol and progesterone as the same dose mentioned above and progesterone 50 mg intramuscular injection per day). Assessments Patients will return to the clinic for pregnancy test 2 weeks after embryo transfers. Local tolerance parameters (pain, itching, swelling and redness) are assessed by the clinical staff 30 min after injection for both corifollitropin alfa and FSH injection sites. Clinical Outcome The primary objective is to show that the corifollitropin alfa regimen, in terms of the number of oocytes retrieved, is equivalent to the reference treatment (predefined equivalence range: -3 to +5 oocytes). Other clinical parameters will also be evaluated: dose of FSH required, duration of stimulation, number and size of follicles (≥11mm and ≥14 mm), serum hormone levels, fertilization rate, number and quality of embryos obtained, implantation rate, miscarriage rate, and pregnancy rates. At least 14 days after embryo transfer, a blood pregnancy test is performed. If the pregnancy test is positive, vaginal and/or abdominal ultrasonographic investigation is performed between 35 and 42 days ( 5 to 6 weeks) after embryo transfer to confirm a clinical pregnancy and at least 70 days (≥ 10 weeks) after embryo transfer to confirm an ongoing pregnancy. Patients will be followed to one year after randomization. All efficacy analyses will be based on the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, which included all randomized patients who will receive corifollitropin alfa or at least one dose of FSH Safety endpoints Occurrence of adverse events, including moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), outcome of local tolerance at injection site assessments will be evaluated as safety endpoints. The percentage of patients with moderate or severe OHSS and local tolerance is compared between the treatment groups using Fisher's exact test. Safety analyses will be performed on the all-subjects-treated group, which comprised all the patients who will receive either corifollitropin alfa or FSH.
Drug is injected subcutaneously. Seven days after, 300 IU FSH daily injected subcutaneously, until at least two leading ovarian follicles reach 17mm in diameter.
Drug is injected subcutaneously, daily, until at least two leading ovarian follicles reach 17mm in diameter.
My Duc Hospital
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Research Center for Genetics and Reproductive Health
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
number of oocytes
in 10 minutes after oocyte retrieval, total number of oocytes retrieved is counted and recorded
Time frame: 10 minutes after oocyte retrieval completed
Rate of moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome are followed and recorded until 8 days after oocyte retrieval.
Time frame: 8 days after oocyte retrieval
Live birth
delivery of live birth
Time frame: at the time of delivery
number of MII oocytes
Number of mature oocytes collected
Time frame: 2 hours after oocyte retrieval completed
number of 2PN
number of two pronuclear (2PN) fertilized oocytes
Time frame: 18 hours after sperm injection
number of mature follicles >11 mm
number of mature follicles \>11 mm in diameter
Time frame: on the day of hCG administration
estradiol level
serum level of estradiol
Time frame: on the day of hCG administration
FSH dose
total dose of FSH
Time frame: calculated on the day of hCG administration
implantation rate
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Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
400
number of sacs with heart beat per total number of embryos transferred
Time frame: 5 to 6 weeks after embryo transfer
Clinical pregnancy
gestational sac on ultrasound
Time frame: at 5 to 6 six weeks after embryo transfer
Ectopic pregnancy
The presence of a gestational sac outside the uterine cavity shown on sonography or laparoscopy
Time frame: 7 to 8 weeks after embryo transfer
Miscarriage
Loss of clinical pregnancy
Time frame: 7 to 12 weeks of gestation
Multiple pregnancy
more than one gestational sacs or heart beats on ultrasound
Time frame: at 7 weeks of gestation
Ongoing pregnancy
At least one gestational sac on ultrasound
Time frame: at 10 weeks after embryo transfer
Cumulative ongoing pregnancy
Cumulative ongoing pregnancy at 12 months after randomization
Time frame: at 12 months after randomization
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg on two occasions, two hours apart, or severely elevated single blood pressure measurement requiring antihypertensive medication
Time frame: measured at or after 20 weeks gestation
Pre-eclampsia
hypertension plus proteinuria or other organ involvement, neurologic or hematologic complications, uteroplacental dysfunction, or fetal growth restriction
Time frame: measured at or after 20 weeks gestation
HELLP syndrome
Elevated liver enzyme levels (aspartate aminotransferase ≥100 U/L), thrombocytopenia (platelet count \<100,000/mm3), elevated serum creatinine level (≥1.5 mg/dL \[132.6 μmol/L\]) and/or hemolysis (hemoglobin \<10 g/dL)
Time frame: measured at or after 20 weeks gestation
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Diagnosed using a 75g oral glucose tolerance test; fasting: 92 mg/dL \[5.1 mmol/L\]; 2-hour: 153 mg/dL \[8.5 mmol/L\]
Time frame: measured at or after 20 weeks gestation
Prematurity
preterm birth if any
Time frame: at 24 weeks gestation, at 32 weeks gestation, at 34 weeks gestation, and at 37 weeks' gestation
Cumulative live birth
cumulative live birth delivery at 12 months after randomization
Time frame: at 12 months after randomization