Pilot Study of the IL-1 Antagonist Anakinra for the Treatment of Endometriosis Related Symptoms

Summary

All current FDA approved medications to treat endometriosis pain including danazol, GnRH agonists (Lupron, Zoladex and Synarel), GnRH antagonist (elagolix) and depo-provera prevent or contradict pregnancy. Therefore women suffering from endometriosis and trying to conceive have no medical options apart from pain meds. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether the anti-inflammatory, IL-1 inhibitor (anakinra) reduces pelvic pain due to endometriosis without altering menstrual cycles, which is an indicator of ovulatory function. Anakinra is an FDA approved injectable medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that is pregnancy category B.

Timeline

Start

2020-06-16

Primary completion

2022-01

Completion

2022-01

Publications

• Background Kennedy S, Bergqvist A, Chapron C, D'Hooghe T, Dunselman G, Greb R, Hummelshoj L, Prentice A, Saridogan E; ESHRE Special Interest Group for Endometriosis and Endometrium Guideline Development Group. ESHRE guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Hum Reprod. 2005 Oct;20(10):2698-704. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dei135. Epub 2005 Jun 24.
• Background Khanaki K, Nouri M, Ardekani AM, Ghassemzadeh A, Shahnazi V, Sadeghi MR, Darabi M, Mehdizadeh A, Dolatkhah H, Saremi A, Imani AR, Rahimipour A. Evaluation of the relationship between endometriosis and omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Iran Biomed J. 2012;16(1):38-43. doi: 10.6091/ibj.1025.2012.
• Background Marik JJ. Leuprolide acetate depot and hormonal add-back in endometriosis: a 12-month study. Obstet Gynecol. 1998 May;91(5 Pt 1):793-4. doi: 10.1097/00006250-199805000-00029. No abstract available.
• Background Stratton P, Sinaii N, Segars J, Koziol D, Wesley R, Zimmer C, Winkel C, Nieman LK. Return of chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis after raloxifene treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jan;111(1):88-96. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000297307.35024.b5.

Drugs

Indications