Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Comparing Microbiome-driven Embryo Transfer (mET) by EMMA/ALICE Test vs Conventional Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) of Blastocysts in Infertile Women at Their First IVF/ICSI Cycle
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 入组人数
- 1,018
- 主要终点
- Live birth rate
研究概览
简要总结
Although the endometrium has been traditionally considered free of bacteria, recent studies have documented the presence of an endometrial microbiome. The uterine microbiome can be defined as Lactobacillus-dominated (<90% Lactobacillus spp.) or non-Lactobacillus-dominated (<90% Lactobacillus spp. with >10% of other bacteria). The presence of a pathogenic microbiota in endometrium was associated with significant decrease in implantation, pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates. Some of these pathogens microorganisms can also produce infection and inflammation that may lead to chronic endometritis.
Nowadays, the endometrial microbiome can be investigated with the EMMA test and the most known pathogens related with chronic endometritis can be detected with the ALICE test,both of them developed by Igenomix group. Our goal in this project is to investigate at what extent, if any, the analysis of the endometrial factor, at a microbiome level, in patients at their first IVF cycle improves their clinical outcome.
详细描述
Some authors have reported the existence of an endometrial microbiota present in healthy woman and different from that in the vagina. It is well known that the presence of pathogens (such as Gardnerella and Streptococcus) in the endometrium is related with infertility, pregnancy loss, premature rupture of membranes and preterm birth.
Another factor which has an impact on infertility is Chronic Endometritis (CE). It consists of a persistent inflammation of the endometrial mucosa and its prevalence in infertile patients has been estimated to be between 2.8 and 39%, although this percentage can reach up to 50 and 60% in patients with miscarriages and repeated implantation failure, respectively. The most common cause of CE is bacterial infection, but the traditional methods of diagnosis (histology, hysteroscopy and microbial culture) often give discordant results between them.
Based on all mentioned above, two molecular tests have been respectively developed by Igenomix (an international company that provides leading advanced services in reproductive genetics and infertility) to assess endometrial microbiome: EMMA (Endometrial Microbiome Metagenomic Analysis) and ALICE (Analysis of Infectious Chronic Endometritis). EMMA test analyses and quantifies all the bacteria present in the endometrium, showing the main bacterial genera present in significant amount in an endometrial sample; while ALICE test quantifies the amount of pathogens more often causing CE (Enterococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia and Klebsiella), Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Ureaplasma spp.), Chlamydia and Neisseria, also in an endometrial sample.
The current project aims to investigate in a randomized way the potential improvement on the clinical outcome of Chinese infertile patients at their first IVF cycle considering a personalized diagnosis and treatment (when applicable) of their endometrial microbiome status with the EMMA/ALICE. To do that, only the outcomes of the first single embryo transfers performed after the inclusion of each patient will be considered.
Considering a 30% of possible drop-outs, a total of 1018 patients will be recruited (509 randomized in each group). They will be allocated on a balanced way (assigned by chance like the flip of a coin) in one of the two arms described below. Reproductive outcomes (defined following The International Glossary on Infertility and Fertility Care, 2017) will be compared between the two groups.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Diagnostic
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- — 至 37 Years（Child, Adult）
- 性别
- Female
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Inclusion criteria
- •Patients whose written IC approved by the EC has been obtained, after having been duly informed of the nature of the study and voluntarily accepted to participate after being fully aware of the potential risks, benefits and any discomfort involved.
- •Patients undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycle (first oocyte pick up, freezing all) with their own oocytes that will receive single embryo transfer of frozen blastocyst stage embryos (day 5/6) on an HRT cycle.
- •At least 2 morphologically good quality embryos already vitrified in blastocyst stage (day 5/6).
- •Maternal Age: ≤37 years to rule out embryo factor in aging patients.
- •BMI: 18.5 - 30.0 kg / m2 (both inclusive).
- •Normal ovarian reserve (defined as: AFC ≥ 8; AMH level ≥1.0 ng/ml and/or FSH < 8 mU/ml) before the controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) initiation.
- •Serum P levels ≤ 1.5 ng/ml, measured within 24 hours before the hCG administration in the COS cycle.
- •Negative serological tests for HIV, HBV, HCV, RPR.
排除标准
- •Patients with repeated miscarriages (> 2 previous biochemical pregnancies or > 2 spontaneous miscarriages).
- •Male partner with severe male factor (spermatozoa < 2 million/ml). Semen donor is allowed.
- •Patients who are intrauterine device (IUD) carriers in the last 3 months before sample collection.
- •Adenomyosis or any pathological finding affecting the endometrial cavity such as polyps/sub-mucosal myomas, intramural myomas > 4 cm, or hydrosalpinx must be previously operated at least 3 months before the endometrial samples are obtained.(Note: Patients are allowed to participate if the pathology is corrected before performing any study procedure).
- •Embryos analysed using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A)
- •Women who have received antibiotics in the last month previous to sample collection, except for the prophylaxis for the oocyte retrieval. In the control group, antibiotics cannot be provided during the ET cycle
- •Illness or unstable medical condition that may put at risk the patient's safety and her compliance in the study
研究组 & 干预措施
Intervention group (mET)
Microbiome-driven embryo transfer of a single vitrified blastocyst in an HRT cycle according to the EMMA/ALICE test results.
干预措施: EMMA/ALICE (Diagnostic Test)
Control group (FET)
Frozen embryo transfer of a single vitrified blastocyst in an HRT cycle according to the clinical standard practice.
干预措施: EMMA/ALICE (Diagnostic Test)
结局指标
主要结局
Live birth rate
时间窗: From date of embryo transfer until 40 weeks
The number of deliveries that resulted in at least one live birth per ET (transferred patient). Live birth is defined as the complete expulsion or extraction from a woman of a product of conception after 22 weeks of gestation, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation or definite movement of voluntary muscles, irrespective of whether the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached.
次要结局
- Obstetric complications(From date of embryo transfer until 40 weeks)
- Delivery complications(From date of embryo transfer until 40 weeks)
- Pregnancy rate(From date of embryo transfer until 2 weeks)
- Clinical miscarriage rate(From date of embryo transfer until 20 weeks)
- Ectopic pregnancy rate(From date of embryo transfer until 8 weeks)
- Implantation rate(From date of embryo transfer until 5-6 weeks)
- Biochemical pregnancy rate(From date of embryo transfer until 5-6 weeks)
- Cost-effectiveness between mET and FET groups(30 months)
- Proportion of microorganism in the infertile study population(From date of EB collection until 3 months)