Ulipristal Acetate: A Review in Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

Progesterone signaling in uterine fibroids: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

Progesterone (P4) is a vital female sex hormone involved in various physiological processes, including the maintenance of the endometrium, mammary gland development, and bone health. Beyond its reproductive roles, P4 is implicated in the pathogenesis of hormone-dependent conditions like uterine fibroids, the most common benign tumors in women, which can severely affect quality of life and fertility. Traditionally, estrogen was considered the primary driver of fibroid growth, but recent research highlights the significant role of P4 in fibroid growth. P4 interacts with progesterone receptors (PRs) and non-genomic membrane receptors (mPRs and PGRMCs) to activate signaling pathways that enhance tumor growth and survival. P4 promotes vascular changes that improve the blood supply to fibroids and modifies the extracellular matrix, a key component of fibroid structure. This understanding has led to the investigation of selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) as potential therapies for fibroids. Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of SPRMs like mifepristone, asoprisnil, and ulipristal acetate in reducing fibroid size and symptoms, though concerns about safety, particularly with long-term use, remain. Newer SPRMs, such as vilaprisan, show promise, but further research is necessary to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness. This review discusses the mechanisms by which progesterone contributes to fibroid growth and examines clinical effectiveness of SPRMs as potential treatments for uterine fibroids.

Ulipristal (UPA) effects on rat ovaries: Unraveling follicle dynamics, ovulation inhibition, and safety implications for prolonged use

Ulipristal (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, has both agonistic and antagonistic effects on progesterone receptors. UPA suppresses ovulation by inhibiting the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge from the pituitary gland; however, the direct effect of UPA on ovarian tissue remains poorly studied. In the present study, we examined the effects of UPA on the ovaries of rats. Rats were treated for 28 days with UPA, and the effects of UPA on ovarian tissue were examined histologically and the expression of antioxidant genes and cell death markers were also investigated. UPA treatment increased the number of primordial follicles at each treatment group, primordial follicles increased at all dose levels, but the size/magnitude of the effect decreased with the increasing dose. The number of primary and antral follicles tended to increase with increasing UPA levels. Furthermore, the decrease in primary follicle number could be attributed to the exhaustion of follicles, but the examination of proliferation markers, oxidative stress markers, and cell death markers revealed no remarkable toxic effects on ovarian tissues. These results suggest that UPA treatment promotes follicle development at each stage but inhibits ovulation by suppressing the LH surge, resulting in an increase in atretic follicles or unruptured luteinized cysts. These results suggest that UPA may not have both toxic effects on the ovary and a direct local effect on ovarian follicles, but we should be careful about the effects of prolonged UPA treatment in patients with uterine fibroids on their future fecundity.

Ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, induces cell death via inhibition of STAT3/CCL2 signaling pathway in uterine sarcoma

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone receptor modulator and is used for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma (a benign tumor). Uterine sarcoma which is highly malignant cancer with a poor prognosis is clinically resembled with uterine leiomyoma. There has been no experimental research on the effect of UPA on uterine sarcoma. In this study, we examined the efficacy of UPA in uterine sarcoma with in vitro and in vivo animal models. Cytotoxicity of UPA was determined in uterine sarcoma cell lines (MES-SA, SK-UT-1, and SK-LMS-1). Apoptotic genes and signaling pathways affected by UPA were analyzed by complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray of uterine sarcoma cell lines and western blot, respectively. An in vivo efficacy of UPA was examined with uterine sarcoma cell line- and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice models. UPA inhibited cell growth in uterine sarcoma cell lines and primary culture cells from a PDX mouse (PDX-C). cDNA microarray analysis revealed that CCL2 was highly down-regulated by UPA. Phosphorylation and the total expression of STAT3 were inhibited by UPA. UPA also inhibited CCL2 and STAT3 in PDX-C. The inhibitory effect of UPA had not changed in the overexpression of PR and treatment of progesterone. In vivo efficacy studies with cell line-derived xenografts and a PDX model with leiomyosarcoma, a typical uterine sarcoma, demonstrated that UPA significantly decreased tumor growth. UPA had significant anti-tumor effects in uterine sarcoma through the inhibition of STAT3/CCL2 signaling pathway and might be a potential therapeutic agent to treat this disease.

Antitumor effect of the selective hypoxia-inducible factor-1 inhibitors echinomycin and PX-478 on uterine fibroids

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antitumor effects of the selective hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) inhibitors echinomycin and PX-478 on uterine fibroids.

DESIGN

Experimental study using in vitro primary culture systems and an in vivo mouse xenograft model.

SETTING

Academic university center.

PATIENT(S)

Women with uterine fibroids who underwent hysterectomy or myomectomy.

INTERVENTION(S)

Administration of the selective HIF-1 inhibitors echinomycin and PX-478 to the media of the primary cultured uterine fibroid cells and to nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing fibroid xenografts consisting of the primary cultured fibroid cells and type Ⅰ collagen gels beneath the kidney capsule.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Cell proliferation was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and by measuring caspase 3 and 7 activities. The xenografts were evaluated by gross appearance, surface area, and histology. The Ki-67 index was measured to evaluate proliferation of the xenografts.

RESULT(S)

Both echinomycin and PX-478 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in fibroid cells cultured under hypoxia and normoxia. Enlargement of the fibroid xenografts was significantly attenuated. The Ki-67 index significantly decreased after the administration of the HIF-1 inhibitors in the xenograft model. Eight of 27 xenografts treated with the HIF-1 inhibitors contained calcification and hyalinizing components from 3 days after the grafting to 2 weeks, suggesting that the HIF-inhibitors induce degeneration of the fibroid xenografts.

CONCLUSION(S)

The selective HIF-1 inhibitors echinomycin and PX-478 show antitumor effects against uterine fibroids both in vitro and in vivo. These findings support the potential use of HIF-1 inhibitors for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Rose Bengal-photocatalyzed perfluorohexylation reactions of organic substrates in water. Applications to late-stage syntheses

The Rose Bengal-photocatalyzed perfluorohexylation of olefins, alkynes, and electron-rich aromatic compounds in water was achieved employing perfluorohexyl iodide as fluoroalkyl source and TMEDA as sacrificial donor under green LED irradiation. Alkenes and alkynes rendered products derived from the atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) pathway, and in the case of alkynes, exclusively as E-stereoisomers. These are the first examples of photocatalyzed ATRA reactions carried out excursively in water alone. The reactions of aromatic compounds under the current protocol in water present the advantage of employing a perfluoroalkyl iodide (C₆F₁₃-I) as source of perfluorohexyl radicals. Examples of photocatalytic late-stage incorporations of fluoroalkyl moieties into two commercial drugs of widespread use are reported.

Hysteroscopic and ultrasonographic evaluation of ulipristal acetate treatment for symptomatic myomas in premenopausal women: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a six-month therapy with ulipristal acetate (UPA) on myoma size and endometrial thickness in premenopausal women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-four women undergoing conservative therapy with UPA were enrolled for this study. All women underwent transvaginal ultrasound evaluation to assess the endometrial thickness, and the number and size of myomas at the beginning and after six months. Hysteroscopy and biopsy were performed after six months, if necessary.

RESULTS

After six months of treatment, sonographic examination showed a statistically significant (p < .05) reduction of the size of the largest myoma (56.3 ± 5.1 vs. 31.7 ± 10.1 mm) and a statistically significant (p < .05) increase in endometrial thickness (5.9 ± 2.1 vs. 9.7 ± 3.4 mm). Twenty-two patients with endometrial thickness >10 mm or nonhomogeneous pattern and ten patients with metrorrhagia underwent hysteroscopy: the most frequent finding was the combination of endometrial hypotrophy, floating surface, and chicken-wire vascular pattern aspect (14 cases, 43.7%). Histologic findings showed no case of complex hyperplasia.

CONCLUSION

UPA is a safe, effective and assured method to decrease symptoms, reduce the need for surgery in premenopausal women suitable for the treatment.

Management of symptomatic uterine fibroids with ulipristal acetate: A retrospective, multicentric and nationwide study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate symptomatic uterine fibroid outcomes following at least one course of ulipristal acetate (UPA) 5 mg/day therapy in the hospital setting, during the year 2017.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective and descriptive analysis involving women with symptomatic fibroids was conducted in 15 hospital centers in Portugal in 2017 to assess fibroid size, bleeding control and hemoglobin levels following at least one course of UPA 5 mg/day. Secondary outcomes were the reasons for the treatment, type of surgery, fibroid classification, patient satisfaction with the treatment, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Five-hundred and twenty-six patients were enrolled in this survey, and 93 % of the women completed, at least, 1 treatment course with UPA. Uterine bleeding control was achieved in 81 % of the cases. A significant increase (p < 0.001) in hemoglobin levels and a reduction (p < 0.001) in uterine fibroid size was observed after treatment, with a median reduction of 24 % from the baseline. Forty-seven percent of the patients underwent subsequent surgery and there were no serious adverse events reported in this multicentric nationwide study.

CONCLUSIONS

So far, this is the largest case series reporting on symptomatic uterine fibroid outcomes after UPA therapy in Portugal. Our data are in line with published literature and confirm favorable outcomes after UPA therapy for women of childbearing age and premenopausal.

The Usefulness of Immunohistochemistry in the Differential Diagnosis of Lesions Originating from the Myometrium

Uterine leiomyomas (LMs), currently the most common gynecological complaint around the world, are a serious medical, social and economic problem. Accurate diagnosis is the necessary prerequisite of the diagnostic-therapeutic process. Statistically, mistakes may occur more often in case of disease entities with high prevalence rates. Histopathology, based on increasingly advanced immunohistochemistry methods, is routinely used in the diagnosis of neoplastic diseases. Markers of the highest sensitivity and specificity profiles are used in the process. As far as LMs are concerned, the crux of the matter is to identify patients with seemingly benign lesions which turn out to be suspicious (e.g., atypical LM) or malignant (e.g., leiomyosarcoma (LMS)), which is not uncommon. In this study, we present the current state of knowledge about the use of immunohistochemical markers in the differential diagnosis of LM, atypical LM, smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), and LMS, as well as their clinical predictive value.