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Ali M, Ciebiera M, Wlodarczyk M, Alkhrait S, Maajid E, Yang Q, Hsia SM, Al-Hendy A. Current and Emerging Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids. Drugs 2023; 83:1649-1675. [PMID: 37922098 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01958-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplasm of the female reproductive tract in reproductive age women. Their prevalence is age dependent and can be detected in up to 80% of women by the age of 50 years. Patients affected by uterine fibroids may experience a significant physical, emotional, social, and financial toll as well as losses in their quality of life. Unfortunately, curative hysterectomy abolishes future pregnancy potential, while uterine-sparing surgical and radiologic alternatives are variously associated with reduced long-term reproductive function and/or high tumor recurrence rates. Recently, pharmacological treatment against uterine fibroids have been widely considered by patients to limit uterine fibroid-associated symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding. This hormonal therapy seemed effective through blocking the stimulatory effects of gonadal steroid hormones on uterine fibroid growth. However, they are contraindicated in women actively pursuing pregnancy and otherwise effective only during use, which is limited because of long-term safety and other concerns. Accordingly, there is an urgent unmet need for safe, durable, and fertility-compatible non-surgical treatment options for uterine fibroids. In this review article, we cover the current pharmacological treatments for uterine fibroids including their comparable efficacy and side effects as well as emerging safe natural compounds with promising anti-uterine fibroid effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, 00-189, Poland
| | - Marta Wlodarczyk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Samar Alkhrait
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Elise Maajid
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Shih-Min Hsia
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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Ciebiera M, Madueke-Laveaux OS, Feduniw S, Ulin M, Spaczyński R, Zgliczyńska M, Bączkowska M, Zarychta E, Łoziński T, Ali M, Al-Hendy A. GnRH agonists and antagonists in therapy of symptomatic uterine fibroids - current roles and future perspectives. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:1799-1809. [PMID: 37602464 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2248890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine fibroids are the most common noncancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. This review was developed to evaluate the current role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists in the therapy of symptomatic uterine fibroids. AREAS COVERED There is a great need for alternative methods for surgical treatment of uterine fibroids. Hormonal therapy remains the first-line treatment option for most patients. GnRH analogs (agonists and antagonists) modulate the pulsatile release of GnRH. This review summarizes the available literature concerning pharmacologic principles underlying the mechanism of action of GnRH and its analogs, as well as individual therapeutic applications to which these drugs have been applied. EXPERT OPINION In many cases, it is possible to try to treat uterine fibroids pharmacologically. Both groups of GnRH analogs are used in therapy, agonists instead as a preparation for surgery, and antagonists as a drug for long-term use. It is essential to develop this path further and look for at least long-term-release systems or new methods of administering these drugs. It is also important from the patient's perspective to search for possible drugs that may have an additive effect of decreasing side effects when combined with GnRH analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
- Warsaw Institute of Women's Health, Warsaw, Poland
- Development and Research Center of Non-Invasive Therapies, Pro-Familia Hospital, Rzeszów, Poland
| | | | - Stepan Feduniw
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mara Ulin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert Spaczyński
- Obstetrics and Infertility Treatment Pastelova, Center for Gynecology, Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zgliczyńska
- Department of Obstetrics, Perinatology and Neonatology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Bączkowska
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Zarychta
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Łoziński
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pro-Familia Hospital, Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Ali M, Chen HY, Chiang YF, Badary OA, Hsia SM, Al-Hendy A. An evaluation of relugolix/estradiol/norethindrone acetate for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:421-429. [PMID: 35068291 PMCID: PMC8866208 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine Fibroids (UFs) are the most predominant benign tumor in women who are coming of reproductive age, and causes intense economic load priced in billions of US dollars. Historically, surgery has been the main definitive treatment, albeit less attractive nowadays, especially for women with future fertility plans. Therefore, studies to explore the pharmacological treatment options are increasing especially as those that are currently available are limited for short-term use only. AREAS COVERED This drug evaluation features the clinical results from previous and ongoing studies of relugolix, in combination with the add back therapy of estradiol (E2) and norethindrone acetate (NETA), as a novel, orally administered, nonpeptide antagonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in premenopausal women with UFs. EXPERT OPINION The combination of relugolix/E2/NETA is an encouraging, well-tolerated and noninvasive pharmacological option for UFs patients. Relugolix induced a concentration-dependent decrease in HMB. However, it should be used with hormonal add-back therapy (E2+ NETA) to avoid induced hypoestrogenic side effects, importantly bone mineral density loss. Moreover, symptoms will likely resume shortly after the termination of the relugolix combination administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ali
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,Center of Drug Discovery Research and Development, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hsin-Yuan Chen
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fen Chiang
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Osama A Badary
- Clinical Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shih-Min Hsia
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,School of Food and Safety, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Nutrition Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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