O-032 Intravenous immunoglobulin and prednisolone to women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Nørgaard-Pedersen C , Kesmodel U S , Christiansen O B , Møller Jørgensen M 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Study question
Does intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and prednisolone in combination affect ongoing pregnancy rate among patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment?

Summary answer
The results of this trial will provide important information about whether immunomodulatory treatment to RPL patients undergoing ART treatment can increase clinical pregnancy rate.

What is known already
Two retrospective cohort studies suggest that IVIG and prednisolone in combination result in a 34-37% live birth rate in RPL patients undergoing ART which is higher than the expected 12% for patients with RPL after ART. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing IVIG in RPL patients conceiving naturally indicated that very early administration of IVIG caused more positive effects than late administration, and prospective cohort studies suggest that treatment efficacy depends on presence of immune disturbances. No RCT has tested the IVIG/prednisolone combination starting before implantation and continued in very early pregnancy for RPL patients undergoing ART.

Study design, size, duration
In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, patients undergoing IVF/ICSI/FET were treated with 400mg/kg IVIG and 5-10mg/day oral prednisolone or IV human albumin and oral placebo between January 2021 and March 2024. Oral treatment was administered from day one of menstrual cycle to GW 8 + 4, while IV treatment was given once in a short time interval before or after embryo transfer and repeated three times before GW 8 + 0. Primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy in GW 12

Participants/materials, setting, methods
Seventy-four women &lt;41 years old with ≥2 consecutive biochemical or clinical early pregnancy losses after ART were randomized 1:1 and underwent trial treatment along with their next IVF/ICSI/FET treatment. Patients were followed with weekly ultrasound scans in first trimester, however, if no implantation occurred, trial participation ended, and no re-entry was allowed. Exclusion criteria included antiphospholipid syndrome, BMI &gt;35, uterine malformations, parental chromosomal translocations, AMH &lt;4 pmol/l, drug contraindications, thyroid disease, and prior IVIG treatment.

Main results and the role of chance
Seventy-four patients have been randomized, and currently we are awaiting the last two patients to complete the treatment protocol before the code can be disclosed. Blinded interim analysis after inclusion of 38 patients showed no serious adverse events and an ongoing pregnancy rate of 30.0% and 9.5% (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.1, Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.13), in the two allocation groups, respectively. Final, unblinded data on ongoing pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and adverse events will be presented at the Congress if selected for presentation.

Limitations, reasons for caution
No published study has tested the same treatments in comparable patient groups which could have been the basis for the sample-size calculation, and the study is therefore at risk for being underpowered to evaluate the treatment effect in patients suffering from a combination of infertility, recurrent implantation failure, and RPL.

Wider implications of the findings
Blood samples were collected before first IV treatment and approximately 4 weeks later, which allow analysis for immunological disturbances and searching for biomarkers identifying those who will benefit from the treatment. This treatment could potentially increase success rate in patients undergoing ART after multiple unsuccessful treatment attempts.

Trial registration number
NCT04701034