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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2017Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles is a treatment-induced disease that has an estimated prevalence of 20% to 33%... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles is a treatment-induced disease that has an estimated prevalence of 20% to 33% in its mild form and 3% to 8% in its moderate or severe form. These numbers might even be higher for high-risk women such as those with polycystic ovaries or a high oocyte yield from ovum pickup.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this overview is to identify and summarise all evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews on interventions for prevention or treatment of moderate, severe and overall OHSS in couples with subfertility who are undergoing ART cycles.
METHODS
Published Cochrane systematic reviews reporting on moderate, severe or overall OHSS as an outcome in ART cycles were eligible for inclusion in this overview. We also identified Cochrane submitted protocols and title registrations for future inclusion in the overview. The evidence is current to 12 December 2016. We identified reviews, protocols and titles by searching the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Database of Systematic Reviews and Archie (the Cochrane information management system) in July 2016 on the effectiveness of interventions for outcomes of moderate, severe and overall OHSS. We undertook in duplicate selection of systematic reviews, data extraction and quality assessment. We used the AMSTAR (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) tool to assess the quality of included reviews, and we used GRADE methods to assess the quality of the evidence for each outcome. We summarised the characteristics of included reviews in the text and in additional tables.
MAIN RESULTS
We included a total of 27 reviews in this overview. The reviews were generally of high quality according to AMSTAR ratings, and included studies provided evidence that ranged from very low to high in quality. Ten reviews had not been updated in the past three years. Seven reviews described interventions that provided a beneficial effect in reducing OHSS rates, and we categorised one additional review as 'promising'. Of the effective interventions, all except one had no detrimental effect on pregnancy outcomes. Evidence of at least moderate quality indicates that clinicians should consider the following interventions in ART cycles to reduce OHSS rates.• Metformin treatment before and during an ART cycle for women with PCOS (moderate-quality evidence).• Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in ART cycles (moderate-quality evidence).• GnRH agonist (GnRHa) trigger in donor oocyte or 'freeze-all' programmes (moderate-quality evidence). Evidence of low or very low quality suggests that clinicians should consider the following interventions in ART cycles to reduce OHSS rates.• Clomiphene citrate for controlled ovarian stimulation in ART cycles (low-quality evidence).• Cabergoline around the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration or oocyte pickup in ART cycles (low-quality evidence).• Intravenous fluids (plasma expanders) around the time of hCG administration or oocyte pickup in ART cycles (very low-quality evidence).• Progesterone for luteal phase support in ART cycles (low-quality evidence).• Coasting (withholding gonadotrophins) - a promising intervention that needs to be researched further for reduction of OHSS.On the basis of this overview, we must conclude that evidence is currently insufficient to support the widespread practice of embryo cryopreservation.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, 27 reviews in the Cochrane Library were conducted to report on or to try to report on OHSS in ART cycles. We identified four review protocols but no new registered titles that can potentially be included in this overview in the future. This overview provides the most up-to-date evidence on prevention of OHSS in ART cycles from all currently published Cochrane reviews on ART. Clinicians can use the evidence summarised in this overview to choose the best treatment regimen for individual patients - a regimen that not only reduces the chance of developing OHSS but does not compromise other outcomes such as pregnancy or live birth rate. Review results, however, are limited by the lack of recent primary studies or updated reviews. Furthermore, this overview can be used by policymakers in developing local and regional protocols or guidelines and can reveal knowledge gaps for future research.
Topics: Cabergoline; Ergolines; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Metformin; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Review Literature as Topic
PubMed: 28111738
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012103.pub2 -
Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical... Mar 2016Endocrine therapy is an established and effective treatment strategy for hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. The clinical utility of endocrine therapy is... (Review)
Review
Endocrine therapy is an established and effective treatment strategy for hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. The clinical utility of endocrine therapy is lost over time due to evolving changes in tumor biology and the development of endocrine resistance. Many agents targeting the intracellular signaling pathways associated with endocrine resistance are in development. Encouraging early results have been seen for agents which directly target the estrogen receptor (ER), inhibitors of co-signaling pathways, inhibitors of ER chaperones, ER antagonists able to inhibit mutated or otherwise activated ERs, and modulators of histone acetylation restoring synthesis of ER signaling components. Following our systematic review of treatments with established benefits in this supplement, we review some of the more promising new strategies for overcoming endocrine resistance, looking at the impact on disease control and quality of life for women with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer. We also examine the biomarkers that may guide selection of the best therapy for the individual.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Clinical Trials as Topic; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Proteins; Prognosis; Receptor, ErbB-2; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 27001209
DOI: 10.1111/ajco.12492 -
Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Mar 2016Fibroids are the most common tumor of the female reproductive tract, but approved medical treatments are limited. Patients demand uterine-sparing treatments which... (Review)
Review
Fibroids are the most common tumor of the female reproductive tract, but approved medical treatments are limited. Patients demand uterine-sparing treatments which preserve fertility and avoid surgery. We systematically reviewed PubMed and Cochrane databases from January 1985 to November 2015 for evidence-based medical therapies for fibroids in the context of disease prevention, treatment of early disease, treatment of symptomatic disease, and preoperative management. We identified 2182 studies, of which 52 studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Published data affirm the efficacy of multiple agents, which are promising avenues for the development of medical alternatives to surgery.
Topics: Androgens; Aromatase Inhibitors; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Curcumin; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Estradiol; Estrenes; Estrogen Receptor Antagonists; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Fulvestrant; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; Leiomyoma; Levonorgestrel; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Mifepristone; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Norpregnadienes; Oximes; Plant Extracts; Receptors, Progesterone; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; Tea; Uterine Myomectomy; Uterine Neoplasms; Vitamin D; Vitamins
PubMed: 26756261
DOI: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000171 -
Inflammation Research : Official... Mar 2016A systematic review of all literature was done to assess the ability of the progestin dienogest (DNG) to influence the inflammatory response of endometriotic cells. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN
A systematic review of all literature was done to assess the ability of the progestin dienogest (DNG) to influence the inflammatory response of endometriotic cells.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
In vitro and in vivo studies report an influence of DNG on the inflammatory response in eutopic or ectopic endometrial tissue (animal or human).
RESULTS
After strict inclusion criteria were satisfied, 15 studies were identified that reported a DNG influence on the inflammatory response in endometrial tissue. These studies identified a modulation of prostaglandin (PG) production and metabolism (PGE2, PGE2 synthase, cyclo-oxygenase-2 and microsomal PGE synthase-1), pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and stromal cell-derived factor-1], growth factor biosynthesis (vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor) and signaling kinases, responsible for the control of inflammation. Evidence supports a progesterone receptor-mediated inhibition of the inflammatory response in PR-expressing epithelial cells. It also indicated that DNG inhibited the inflammatory response in stromal cells, however, whether this was via a PR-mediated mechanism is not clear.
CONCLUSIONS
DNG has a significant effect on the inflammatory microenvironment of endometriotic lesions that may contribute to its clinical efficacy. A better understanding of the specific anti-inflammatory activity of DNG and whether this contributes to its clinical efficacy can help develop treatments that focus on the inhibition of inflammation while minimizing hormonal modulation.
Topics: Animals; Cytokines; Endometriosis; Epithelial Cells; Female; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Nandrolone; Prostaglandins; Stromal Cells
PubMed: 26650031
DOI: 10.1007/s00011-015-0909-7 -
Cancer Cell International 2015Tumour cells show greater dependency on glycolysis so providing a sufficient and rapid energy supply for fast growth. In many breast cancers, estrogen, progesterone and...
BACKGROUND
Tumour cells show greater dependency on glycolysis so providing a sufficient and rapid energy supply for fast growth. In many breast cancers, estrogen, progesterone and epidermal growth factor receptor-positive cells proliferate in response to growth factors and growth factor antagonists are a mainstay of treatment. However, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells lack receptor expression, are frequently more aggressive and are resistant to growth factor inhibition. Downstream of growth factor receptors, signal transduction proceeds via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k), Akt and FOXO3a inhibition, the latter being partly responsible for coordinated increases in glycolysis and apoptosis resistance. FOXO3a may be an attractive therapeutic target for TNBC. Therefore we have undertaken a systematic review of FOXO3a as a target for breast cancer therapeutics.
METHODS
Articles from NCBI were retrieved systematically when reporting primary data about FOXO3a expression in breast cancer cells after cytotoxic drug treatment.
RESULTS
Increased FOXO3a expression is common following cytotoxic drug treatment and is associated with apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. There is some evidence that metabolic enzyme expression is also altered and that this effect is also elicited in TNBC cells. FOXO3a expression serves as a positive prognostic marker, especially in estrogen (ER) receptor positive cells.
DISCUSSION
FOXO3a is upregulated by a number of receptor-dependent and -independent anti-cancer drugs and associates with apoptosis. The identification of microRNA that regulate FOXO3a directly suggest that it offers a tangible therapeutic target that merits wider evaluation.
PubMed: 25678856
DOI: 10.1186/s12935-015-0156-6 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2014Preterm birth represents the single largest cause of mortality and morbidity for newborns and a major cause of morbidity for pregnant women. Tocolytic agents include a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Preterm birth represents the single largest cause of mortality and morbidity for newborns and a major cause of morbidity for pregnant women. Tocolytic agents include a wide range of drugs that can inhibit labour to prolong pregnancy. This may gain time to allow the fetus to mature further before being born, permit antenatal corticosteroid administration for lung maturation, and allow time for intra-uterine transfer to a hospital with neonatal intensive care facilities. However, some tocolytic drugs are associated with severe side effects. Combinations of tocolytic drugs may be more effective over single tocolytic agents or no intervention, without adversely affecting the mother or neonate.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes of any combination of tocolytic drugs for the treatment of preterm labour when compared with any other treatment, no treatment or placebo.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 January 2014) and reference lists of retrieved studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials comparing a combination of tocolytic agents, administered by any route or any dose, for inhibiting preterm labour versus any other treatment (including other combinations of tocolytics or single tocolytics), no intervention or placebo.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed study reports for eligibility, carried out data extraction and assessed risk of bias.
MAIN RESULTS
Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria. Two studies did not report any outcome data relevant to the review, so the results of the review are based on nine trials that contributed data. Primary outcomes were perinatal mortality, serious maternal or infant outcomes, adverse drug reactions, birth before 48 hours of trial entry, birth before 34 weeks' gestation and preterm neonates delivered without a full course of antenatal steroids completed 24 hours before birth. The quality of evidence in included trials was mixed; only three of the trials were placebo controlled.The included trials examined seven different comparisons: intravenous (IV) ritodrine plus oral or IV magnesium (sulphate or gluconate) versus IV ritodrine alone (three trials, 231 women); IV ritodrine plus indomethacin suppositories versus IV ritodrine alone (one trial, 208 women); IV ritodrine plus vaginal progesterone versus IV ritodrine alone (one trial, 83 women); IV hexoprenaline sulphate plus IV magnesium hydrochloride versus IV hexoprenaline sulphate alone (one trial, 24 women); IV fenoterol plus oral naproxen versus IV fenoterol alone (one trial, 72 women); oral pentoxifylline plus IV magnesium sulphate plus IV fenoterol versus IV magnesium sulphate plus IV fenoterol (one trial, 125 women); and, IV terbutaline plus oral metoprolol versus IV terbutaline alone (one trial, 17 women). Few studies with small numbers of women were available for each comparison, hence very little data were pooled in meta-analysis. In all trials, not many of the primary outcomes were reported.Three trials examined intravenous (IV) ritodrine plus IV or oral magnesium (sulphate or gluconate) compared with IV ritodrine alone. One study, with 41 women, reported more adverse drug reactions in the group receiving the combined tocolytics (risk ratio (RR) 7.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 to 54.80). Two trials reported discontinuation of therapy due to severe side effects (results were not combined due to high statistical heterogeneity, I² = 83%); one trial reported increased severe side effects in the group receiving IV ritodrine alone (RR 7.79, 95% CI 1.11 to 54.80, 41 women); in the other trial there was no clear difference between groups (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.97, 107 women). Other primary outcomes were not reported.One trial assessed IV ritodrine plus indomethacin suppositories versus IV ritodrine alone. There were no significant differences between groups for perinatal mortality or serious neonatal morbidity. Results for other primary outcomes were not reported.There were no significant differences between groups receiving IV ritodrine plus vaginal progesterone compared with IV ritodrine alone for most outcomes reported, although the latency period (time from recruitment to delivery) was increased in the group receiving the combination of tocolytics.For other combinations of tocolytic agents, primary outcomes were rarely reported and for secondary outcomes results did not demonstrate differences between groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
It is unclear whether a combination of tocolytic drugs for preterm labour is more advantageous for women and/or newborns due to a lack of large, well-designed trials including the outcomes of interest. There are no trials of combination regimens using widely used tocolytic agents, such as calcium channel blockers (nifedipine) and/or oxytocin receptor antagonists (atosiban). Further trials are needed before specific conclusions on use of combination tocolytic therapy for preterm labour can be made.
Topics: Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tocolysis; Tocolytic Agents
PubMed: 25010869
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006169.pub2 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2014To assess the impact of elevated early follicular progesterone (P) levels in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cycles on clinical outcome using... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of elevated early follicular progesterone (P) levels in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cycles on clinical outcome using prospective data in combination with a systematic review and meta-analysis.
DESIGN
Nested study within a multicenter randomized controlled trial and a systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Reproductive medicine center in an university hospital.
PATIENT(S)
158 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) patients.
INTERVENTION(S)
Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (150-225 IU) administered daily from cycle day 2 onward; GnRH antagonist treatment randomly started on cycle day 2 or 6; assignment into two groups according to P level on cycle day 2: normal or elevated (>4.77 nmol/L or >1.5 ng/mL, respectively).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) per started cycle.
RESULT(S)
The incidence of elevated P was 13.3%. A non-statistically-significant difference in OPR was present between the normal and elevated P groups (27.0% vs. 19.0%). No differential impact of early or late GnRH antagonist initiation on the effect of elevated or normal P on OPR was observed. A systematic search of Medline and EMBASE from 1972-2013 was performed to identify studies analyzing elevated early P levels in GnRH antagonists. The meta-analysis (n=1,052) demonstrated that elevated P levels statistically significantly decreased the OPR with 15% (95% CI -23, -7 %). Heterogeneity across the studies, presumably based on varying protocols, may have modulated the effect of elevated P.
CONCLUSION(S)
From the present meta-analysis it appears that early elevated P levels are associated with a lower OPR in GnRH antagonists. The incidence of such a condition, however, is low.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT00866034.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Female; Fertility Agents, Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hormone Antagonists; Humans; Infertility; Netherlands; Ovarian Follicle; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Progesterone; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recombinant Proteins; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Up-Regulation
PubMed: 24929258
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.05.002