A Multicenter, Open-label Study on the Efficacy, Cycle Control and Safety of a Contraceptive Vaginal Ring Delivering a Daily Dose of 150 ug of Nestorone® and 15 ug of Ethinyl Estradiol
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Contraception
- Sponsor
- Population Council
- Enrollment
- 1135
- Locations
- 12
- Primary Endpoint
- Efficacy
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 8 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this 1-year study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) delivering low doses of Nestorone (NES), a new, nonandrogenic progestin, and ethinyl estradiol (EE), an estrogen used in oral contraceptives. The CVR, which is made of silicone rubber, is designed to be used for 1 year (13 menstrual cycles) before replacement is required.
Detailed Description
The objective of this study is to evaluate the contraceptive efficacy, cycle control, and safety of a reusable CVR delivering low daily doses of NES and EE for a 1-year (13-cycle) period. Nestorone is a potent, nonandrogenic, 19-norprogesterone derivative, which is not active when given orally, but is highly active when delivered via non-oral delivery systems, such as CVRs, implants, or transdermal preparations. The high potency of NES makes it an excellent candidate for use in contraceptive delivery systems designed to be effective for prolonged periods. This characteristic of Nestorone has been utilized in the design of a contraceptive vaginal ring that releases low daily doses of both NES and EE and is effective for a 1-year (13-cycle) period. The NES/EE vaginal ring is a long-acting contraceptive device, but, unlike other long-term methods, it use is controlled by the woman without the need for medical intervention. The efficacy of NES/EE vaginal ring in preventing pregnancy during a 1-year (13-cycle) period will be studied in women who have regular sexual activity and use no other form of contraception. The Pearl index for all women (18-\<40) and Kaplan-Meier life table analyses will be assessed for all subjects and for subjects £ 35 years and will provide supportive analyses for demonstrating efficacy. Pearl indices will be based on all cycles and on all cycles for which back-up contraception is not used. The number of bleeding/spotting days per cycle or reference period will be used to evaluate cycle control. Safety will be evaluated by regular assessments of blood pressure, pulse, and body weight and by laboratory testing and Pap smears at screening and termination, and by the frequencies of adverse events and serious adverse events. Additional safety evaluations will be obtained in a companion Phase 3 study conducted by the NIH (Protocol CCN006) with three substudies to evaluate 1) the effect of treatment on 4 hepatic proteins that may be associated with a risk for thromboembolism; 2) the effect of reusing the same CVR for 13 consecutive cycles on vaginal flora and the risk of infection; and 3) the effect of vaginal delivery of NES and EE on the endometrium. A nested pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics/safety study is also being conducted in a subset of 39 patients. Blood samples are drawn during study cycles 1, 3, and 13 in order to assess ovulation suppression, measured by serum progesterone concentration, and the pharmacokinetics of NES and EE.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy women who meet the following criteria:
- •Aged 18-\<40 years who wish to use a combined hormonal contraceptive.
- •Women not intending to become pregnant for 13 months.
- •Intact uterus and both ovaries.
- •Prior history of regular menstrual cycles of 28 ± 7 days when not using hormonal contraception; if postpartum or postabortal, history of regular menstrual cycles of 21-35 days in length and at least one cycle (2 menses) with a cycle length consistent with her past cycles.
- •Sexually active (currently) and willing to discontinue current contraceptive method to participate in the study.
- •In the opinion of the investigator, able to comply with the protocol, e.g. live within the clinic catchment area or within a reasonable distance from the clinic.
- •Do not meet any of the exclusion criteria.
- •Signed informed consent prior to entry into the trial.
- •\[For pharmacokinetics study only; 39 subjects already recruited\]
Exclusion Criteria
- •Contraindications for enrollment will be the same as those for use with combined hormonal contraceptives in addition to contraindications specific to this clinical trial including:
- •Known hypersensitivity to estrogens or progestins.
- •Known hypersensitivity to silicone rubber.
- •Known or suspected pregnancy.
- •History of infertility of \>1.0 year in woman or her male partner.
- •History of vasectomy or sterility in male partner; tubal ligation (sterilization) in women.
- •Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding.
- •Undiagnosed vaginal discharge or vaginal lesions or abnormalities. (Subjects diagnosed at screening with a chlamydia or gonococcus infection may be included in the trial following treatment; partner treatment is also recommended. Investigators should make a determination if subjects are at high risk for reinfection, e.g. multiple sex partners, untreated partner, and whether such subjects can be included.)
- •History of pelvic inflammatory disease since last pregnancy episode.
- •History of toxic shock syndrome.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Efficacy
Time Frame: At all visits
Primary endpoint: The Pearl Index for women 35 years of age derived from using all cycles for which back up contraception is not used will be the primary efficacy endpoint. This index will be calculated for the women participating in Protocol 300 B and will then be pooled with data from women 35 years who participate in 300 A (CCN006).
Safety
Time Frame: At all visits
Each subject's health status will be monitored carefully throughout the trial. Baseline data collected at the screening visit will consist of the medical and gynecologic history and physical examination findings including breast and pelvic exam (to include Pap test and STI screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea). These assessments will be repeated at the 6th cycle visit (with the exception of the Pap, and STI screening). Baseline data obtained from clinical chemistries and a CBC will be used to monitor liver and renal function, lipid levels and hematologic status.