Clinical trial NCT02152696
Conditions: Persistent Pregnancy of Unknown Location Ectopic Pregnancy
Sponsor: Yale University
Start date: 2014-07-25; Completion date: 2019-08-19
Enrollment: 255 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
This is a randomized controlled trial to compare three currently available management strategies for women with a persisting pregnancy of unknown location (PPUL), which makes them at-risk for ectopic pregnancy. We will recruit hemodynamically stable women with a confirmed PPUL to be randomized to one of three strategies: 1) Uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate (MTX) for some (those that have evidence of a non visualized ectopic pregnancy) 2) Empiric treatment with MTX for all 3) Expectant management. Randomization will be 1:1:1 into these three arms. After randomization, they will be followed and treated clinically as is indicated by the progression of their condition. Primary outcome measures: uneventful decline of hCG to 5 IU/mL.

Detailed description:

Arms: arm 1: Subjects will have their PPUL expectantly managed using serum hCG monitoring. arm 2: Subjects will undergo a uterine evacuation. If hCG levels do not sufficiently decrease after the uterine evacuation, the subject will be treated with methotrexate. If hCG levels do sufficiently decrease after the uterine evacuation, no further treatment is required. arm 3: Subjects will be treated with methotrexate, receiving one dose on day 0 and a subsequent dose on day 4. Additional doses will be administered as needed based on hCG levels.
Interventions: intervention 1: Methotrexate intervention 2: Uterine Evacuation intervention 3: Expectant Management
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Two Dose Protocol: The patient will receive the first dose of MTX 50mg/m2 on treatment day 0. She will receive a second dose of MTX 50mg/m2 on treatment day 4 and a serum hCG level will be drawn. Subsequent doses of MTX will be administered based on hCG levels. intervention 2: Uterine evacuation or dilation and curettage. At the clinician's discretion, this can be performed using local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia and can use a manual or electrical evacuation. intervention 3: Pregnancy will be expectantly managed using serum hcg monitoring

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
Optimal Treatment for a PPUL – A Randomized Clinical Trial
Version 6.0: November 12, 
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Reproductive Medicine Network
Funded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD
Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location - 
a Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active 
Treatment versus Expectant Management (No Treatment)
The “ACTorNOT TRIAL”
Protocol Leader: Kurt T. Barnhart, MD, MSCE 
Data and Coordination Leader: Heping Zhang, PhD
Version 6.0
Prepared by:
The RMN Data Coordination Center
Collaborative Center for Statistics in Science 
Yale University School of Medicine
300 George Street, Suite 523
New Haven, CT 06511 
(203) 785-5185
Last updated: September 9, 2019


Optimal Treatment for a PPUL – A Randomized Clinical Trial
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Protocol Subcommittee
Group email address: rmn.act@mailman.yale.edu
Member Name
Email Address
Kurt Barnhart, MD, MSCE
kbarnhart@uphs.upenn.edu
Esther Eisenberg, MD, MPH
eisenbes@mail.nih.gov
Heping Zhang, PhD
heping.zhang@yale.edu
Nanette Santoro, MD
NANETTE.SANTORO@ucdenver.edu


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Table of Contents
1
ACRONYMS ..................................................................................................................................................................5
2
STUDY SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................................6
3
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................8
3.1
BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................................................................................................8
3.2
PRECLINICAL DATA.........................................................................................................................................................................................9
3.3
CLINICAL DATA TO DATE .............................................................................................................................................................................10
3.4
RISK/BENEFITS .............................................................................................................................................................................................10
4
STUDY OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................................11
4.1
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE ...................................................................................................................................................................................11
4.2
SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: ASSESSMENT OF............................................................................................................................................11
5
STUDY DESIGN...........................................................................................................................................................12
5.1
GENERAL DESIGN.........................................................................................................................................................................................12
5.2
SUBJECT SELECTION AND WITHDRAWAL ................................................................................................................................................12
5.2.1
Inclusion Criteria ...........................................................................................................................................12
5.2.2
Exclusion Criteria..........................................................................................................................................13
5.3
SUBJECT RECRUITMENT AND SCREENING ..............................................................................................................................................13
5.4
INFORMED CONSENT ...................................................................................................................................................................................13
6
STUDY PROCEDURES...............................................................................................................................................14
6.1
ALLOCATION OF RANDOMIZATION AND TREATMENT .............................................................................................................................14
6.1.1
Expectant management................................................................................................................................14
6.1.2
Active management A: Uterine evacuation followed by MTX for those that have evidence of a non- 
visualized EP ...............................................................................................................................................................14
6.1.3
Active management B: Empiric treatment with MTX.....................................................................................15
6.2
DATA COLLECTION .......................................................................................................................................................................................16
6.2.1
Serum and Plasma samples .........................................................................................................................16
6.2.2
Baseline information .....................................................................................................................................16
6.2.3
Follow up visits..............................................................................................................................................17
6.2.4
Final Diagnosis Categorizations....................................................................................................................17
6.2.5
Quality of Life, Acceptability, and Cost..........................................................................................................17
6.2.6
Long term follow up.......................................................................................................................................18
7
STATISTICAL PLAN ...................................................................................................................................................19
7.1
SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION ..................................................................................................................................................................19
7.2
STATISTICAL METHODS ...............................................................................................................................................................................20
8
DATA HANDLING AND RECORD KEEPING .............................................................................................................22
8.1
CONFIDENTIALITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................22
8.2
RECORDS RETENTION .................................................................................................................................................................................22
9
STUDY MONITORING, AUDITING, AND INSPECTING (TECHNICAL ASPECTS)...................................................23
9.1
STUDY MONITORING ....................................................................................................................................................................................23
9.2
SAFETY MONITORING ..................................................................................................................................................................................23
9.3
ADVERSE EVENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................24
9.4
REPORTING ADVERSE EVENTS..................................................................................................................................................................25
............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28
9.5
AUDITING AND INSPECTING.........................................................................................................................................................................29
9.6
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................................29


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9.7
STUDY FINANCES..........................................................................................................................................................................................29
9.7.1
Conflict of Interest.........................................................................................................................................29
10
PUBLICATION POLICY...............................................................................................................................................30
10.1
OVERALL POLICY ..........................................................................................................................................................................................30
10.2
MAIN STUDY...................................................................................................................................................................................................30
10.2.1
Major Publications.........................................................................................................................................30
10.2.2
Minor Publications.........................................................................................................................................32
10.3
ANCILLARY STUDY........................................................................................................................................................................................32
10.4
PILOT STUDY .................................................................................................................................................................................................32
10.5
RELATED PUBLICATIONS.............................................................................................................................................................................33
10.6
OUTSIDE STUDIES ........................................................................................................................................................................................33
10.7
PRESENTATIONS...........................................................................................................................................................................................33
11
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................................................34
12
APPENDIX A: DEFINITION OF RISK FACTORS AND VARIABLES ........................................................................36
13
APPENDIX B: TWO-DOSE METHOTREXATE PROTOCOL .....................................................................................37
14
APPENDIX C: PATIENT SATISFACTION QUESTIONNAIRE ...................................................................................40
15
APPENDIX D: PATIENT FERTILITY QUESTIONNAIRE............................................................................................46
16
APPENDIX E: DATA AND SAFETY MONITORING PLAN..............................................................................................49
17
APPENDIX F: INVESTIGATOR SIGNATURE OF AGREEMENT...............................................................................58
Table 1: The sample size requirement comparisons of active expectant management .........................................19
Table 2: Non-inferiority approach to the two active management arms................................................................20
Figure 1: Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PUL)
17


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1
Acronyms
AE
Adverse Event
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CBC
complete blood count
CMP
comprehensive metabolic panel
CI
Confidence Interval
DSMB
Data and Safety Monitoring Board 
EP
Ectopic Pregnancy
FDA
Food and Drug Administration
hCG
human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HIPAA
Health Information Portability and Accountability Act 
IRB
Institutional Review Board
IUFD
Intrauterine Fetal Demise
IUP
Intrauterine Pregnancy
LMP
Last Menstrual Period
MTX
Methotrexate
PHI
Personal Health Information
POC
Products of Conception
PPUL
Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location 
PUL
Pregnancy of Unknown Location
SAE
Serious Adverse Event


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Study Summary
Title
Optimal Treatment for Women with a Persisting Pregnancy of 
Unknown Location (PPUL) - A Randomized Clinical Trial of Women 
at Risk for an Ectopic Pregnancy: Active Treatment versus No 
Treatment
The “ACTorNOT TRIAL”
Short Title
ACTorNOT
Test Article
Methotrexate
Phase
N/A (comparative efficacy)
Methodology
This is a randomized clinical trial for women identified to have a 
persisting pregnancy of unknown location (PPUL) (a nonviable 
gestation). Randomization will be into active versus expectant 
management. Additionally, women randomized to active management 
will be equally randomized between two active management strategies.
Randomization will be 1:2 between expectant management and active 
management, and 1:1 between active management A and active 
management B (thus randomization will be 1:1:1 into the three 
management arms).
The arms will be:
1) Expectant management
2) Active management A)
Determine the location of the pregnancy and only treat those with an 
EP: (Uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate (50 mg/m2) given as 
an intramuscular injection) for those that have evidence of a non- 
visualized ectopic pregnancy)
3) Active management B)
Empiric treatment of all women with a PPUL without determination of 
the location of the gestation (Treatment with methotrexate).
After randomization to initial management plan, all patients will be 
followed by their clinicians until resolution of the PPUL. The clinician 
will determine subsequent management based on clinical course, further 
evaluation of serial human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and 
symptoms.
Study Duration
Recruitment Period: 3 years 
Subject Follow-up: 2 years
Total Duration: 5 years (2014-2019)
ClinicalTrial.gov 
Registration Number
NCT01800162


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Objectives
The primary outcome measure in each of each 3 treatment arm is the 
uneventful clinical resolution of a PPUL without change from the initial 
management strategy.
Secondary outcome measures are: number of ruptured ectopic 
pregnancies, number and type of re-interventions (additional 
methotrexate injections or surgical procedures), treatment 
complications, adverse events, number of visits and time to resolution, 
patient satisfaction, and future fertility.
Number of Subjects
276 subjects with a PPUL
Diagnosis and Main 
Inclusion Criteria
Inclusion criteria will include pregnant women who are 
hemodynamically stable, ≥ 18 years of age, diagnosed with a persisting 
pregnancy of unknown location (defined as: no definitive ultrasound 
evidence of intrauterine or extra uterine gestation and a plateau in at 
least two serial hCG values (defined as less than an 15% rise per day
or less than a 50% decline over 2-14 days,)
Statistical 
Methodology
The percent success of initial management course will be compared for 
each study arm. The two hypotheses to be tested will be that 1) active 
management is superior to expectant management and 2) the two active 
management strategies are non-inferior to each other.
If active management is not superior to expectant management (or if the 
two active management strategies are non-inferior), the determination 
of which management strategy is optimal will be based on secondary 
outcomes. Secondary outcome measures and cost will be modeled in a 
cost effectiveness analysis using average cost and charge per 
procedure.


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Introduction
This document is a protocol for a human research study. This study is to be conducted according to US and 
international standards of Good Clinical Practice (FDA Title 21 part 312 and International Conference on 
Harmonization guidelines), 45 CFR 46, applicable government regulations and institutional research policies 
and procedures.
3.1
Background
A woman with pain and bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy is at risk for ectopic pregnancy (EP) and 
should be distinguished from a woman with an ongoing potential viable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and from 
a woman with a miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as the implantation of an embryo outside the 
uterus. EP is a major cause of maternal morbidity and responsible for 6% of pregnancy-related deaths (1, 2). 
However if diagnosed and treated early and before rupture, morbidity is limited and conservative management 
is preferred (3). Early diagnosis permits early treatment and allows for procedures that preserve fallopian tube 
function and fertility (4).
There is worldwide consensus regarding the utility of trans-vaginal ultrasound and serial quantitative serum 
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations in the diagnosis of women at risk for EP.  Diagnosis can 
be straightforward when ultrasound definitively identifies an IUP or EP (6). However, ultrasound can be 
inconclusive in up to 40% of women with a symptomatic first trimester pregnancy (7). This clinical quandary is 
termed a 'pregnancy of unknown location' (PUL).  A PUL is not a diagnosis but a transient state in the 
diagnostic process of a woman at risk for EP (8). The management of a woman with a PUL necessitates further 
surveillance and/or diagnostic tests to achieve a final diagnosis, including (but not limited to) serial hCG 
concentrations to determine if a pregnancy is growing or resolving (non-viable).  Ultimately, a woman is 
usually diagnosed with one of three outcomes: an ongoing growing IUP, a miscarriage, or an EP. If the 
pregnancy resolves without any intervention, the location is never known and is termed a resolved PUL (8).
During the course of evaluation of a woman with a PUL, up to one third of women will be found to have serial 
hCG values that neither rise nor decline. This is diagnostic of a nonviable gestation (either a miscarriage or an 
EP) and is termed - a persisting PUL (PPUL). The hCG is produced by the trophoblast tissue that is either in 
the uterus or the tube (and is not visible on ultrasound). Surgical exploration in the form of uterine evacuation 
(dilation and curettage) is often performed to confirm the location of the persistent trophoblast tissue. If 
trophoblast tissue is found at the time of uterine evacuation, a miscarriage has been diagnosed (and treated). If 
the hCG concentration does not decline after uterine evacuation, the trophoblast is presumed to be in the 
fallopian tube and an ectopic gestation is confirmed (5). An ectopic gestation can then be treated medically 
with methotrexate, to hasten the resolution of the extra-uterine trophoblast tissue (9, 10).
Of note, methotrexate will act on the trophoblast tissue if it is in the uterus or in the tube. Some have advocated 
that it is unnecessary to identify the location of the gestation. Thus, some have advocated treating a woman 
with a PPUL with methotrexate without first determining the location of the gestation (11).
Finally, both early miscarriage and early ectopic pregnancy can be managed expectantly (12-18). A recent 
study in the Netherlands demonstrated no difference in primary treatment success rate of single-dose 
methotrexate versus expectant management, 31/41 (76%) and 19/32 (59%), respectively [relative risk (RR) 1.3 
95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9–1.8]. The absolute difference in failure rate found between active and 
expectant management was 18%. Expectant management of an EP or a PPUL is uncommon in the United 
States (16).


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Thus, there are currently three commonly used strategies to manage a woman with a PPUL with true equipoise
as to which is more effective and optimal: Expectant management would avoid the morbidity associated with a 
surgical intervention needed to determine location and/or the morbidity of methotrexate. However during the 
time of expectant management, women are at risk for rupture of an EP with its inherent morbidity and mortality 
or at risk for complication from retained products of conceptions from an incomplete miscarriage. Moreover, 
resolution of a PPUL can take up to 6 weeks. We plan to test if active management is superior to expectant 
management with sufficient power to identify an absolute difference of only 18%. Thus, if expectant 
management has similar efficacy to active management it can become an evidence-based treatment option for 
this population of women.
If active management is superior to expectant management, or even if similar in efficacy, it will likely still be 
desired by some and will likely continue to be a common treatment strategy. Thus, determination of which 
active management strategy is optimal is also an important clinical question. Active management can be 
divided into two strategies A) Determine the location of the pregnancy and only treat those with an EP: (Uterine 
evacuation followed by methotrexate (MTX) for only those who have evidence of a non-visualized EP) and (B) 
Empiric treatment of all women with a PPUL without determination of the location of the gestation: (MTX 
administered to all women with a PPUL). MTX is currently a standard of care to medially manage an un- 
ruptured EP (9, 11), but is not a standard of care to treat a miscarriage because methotrexate has inherent 
morbidity.
We have demonstrated that up to 50% of women with a PPUL have an EP and 50% have a miscarriage (5). 
However, surgical intervention in the form of a uterine evacuation (dilation and curettage) to identify if there 
were products of conception (trophoblast tissue) in the uterus was necessary to make this distinction. Thus, 
empiric treatment of a woman with a PPUL with MTX may result in overtreatment of 50% of women.
Conversely, the morbidity and cost of a uterine evacuation may outweigh the cost and morbidity of 
“overtreatment” with MTX. Lack of objective data to inform clinicians as to the optimal strategy is an 
identified and universally accepted knowledge gap and a research priority and is therefore the focus of this 
protocol (8).
Of note, all women with a PPUL, regardless of the initial strategy adopted by a clinician (or allocated to in this 
protocol), will be followed until clinical resolution of the gestation. In some cases resolution is complete and 
uneventful, even if the location of the pregnancy is never ascertained. Complete uneventful resolution of the 
PPUL is the primary outcome of this trial. In other cases the clinical course and symptoms dictate intervention 
and abandonment of the initial management strategy. Until the gestation is completely resolved (i.e. all 
trophoblast tissue has been resorbed, as evidenced by absence of hCG in the serum) a women may become 
clinically symptomatic from an EP or miscarriage. Based on the clinical course after initial intended 
management, some receive additional intervention and/or treatment. Intervention may be needed to diagnose 
and/or treat an EP that becomes symptomatic (rupturing or ruptured) or to treat a woman with a miscarriage that 
becomes symptomatic because of retained products of conception. Thus, women may require surgical or 
medical intervention to diagnose or treat an EP, or require surgical or medical intervention for an unresolved 
miscarriage. A clinically important example is that approximately 10-20% of women with an EP treated with 
MTX fail medical management and require surgical management (16, 19). Quantification of these 
interventions, including side effects, time to resolution and cost are the secondary outcomes of this study.
These outcomes will determine which management strategies are optimal if the efficacy is similar.
3.2
Preclinical Data
This type of study is not applicable in animals.


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3.3
Clinical Data to Date
The medical management of ectopic pregnancy is the use of intramuscular MTX. This is a common medical 
procedure with widely published recommendation (9, 10). MTX treatment has been used as single dose or 
multi-dose (19). We have demonstrated the efficacy and safety with the use of a 2 dose regimen (20). This 
two-dose regimen was developed under IND 65407. One dose of MTX was used in the recent trial in 
Amsterdam (6). We expect that two doses of MTX will be more effective than one dose and thus our success 
rate will be higher (20).
3.4
Risk/Benefits
All three management strategies in this randomized clinical trial are used as part of clinical standard of care, and 
therefore, we believe that the patient is not exposed to any 'experimental' risks. This study is a comparison of 
the efficacy and safety of three currently available and commonly used strategies. Randomization to one of 
these strategies therefore poses minimal risk to a subject. There is risk associated with the clinical condition, 
including the possibility of rupture of an ectopic pregnancy. Each strategy has mildly different risks associated 
with the treatment plan.
Subjects randomized to 'Expectant Management' may be at a higher risk for rupture of an ectopic pregnancy or 
retained products of conception, but avoid the morbidity associated with surgical and medical intervention.
Subjects randomized to Active management A) ‘Uterine evacuation followed by MTX for some’ will be 
exposed to the risks of surgical intervention of uterine evacuation (risk of bleeding, infection and uterine 
perforation), but may be spared the exposure, and morbidity associated with MTX (risk of nausea, abdominal 
pain, mouth sores).
Subjects randomized to Active management B) ‘Empiric MTX for all’ may avoid the risk of uterine evacuation 
but are exposed to the side effects of MTX (see 2. above).
All subjects will have the risk of all therapeutic options explained to them as is the current practice for the 
clinical evaluation and management of a PPUL. Of note, during this treatment course, all subjects are 
inherently at risk for rupture from their potential ectopic pregnancy.
Additional risks include loss of confidentiality. Loss of confidentiality is prevented through omitting all 
personal identifiers in the research database.
In summary, the risks of participation in the research are mild (above that of their clinical condition) and are 
balanced by the potential benefits of the research to society.


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4
Study Objectives
The goal of this study is to:
1) Determine if active management of women with a PPUL is superior to expectant management.
2) Determine if two common active management strategies of a women with a PPUL are non-inferior to each 
other.
3) Determine which management strategies are optimal based on secondary outcomes of cost, number of 
procedures, side effect, and time to resolution.
4.1
Primary Objective
The primary outcome measure is the frequency of clinical resolution for each management strategy for a PPUL. 
Clinical resolution is defined as an uneventful decline of serum hCG to an undetectable level (less than 5 
mIU/mL) by the initial intervention strategy. This outcome is accepted and commonly used to assess efficacy 
of medical and expectant management of miscarriage and EP (16, 20, 21).
4.2
Secondary Objective: Assessment of

Number of ruptured ectopic pregnancies in each group

Quantification of re-interventions needed to manage a woman with a PPUL
o
Outcomes include:

number of interventions beyond that of intended initial strategy in each group
o
additional number of MTX injections
o
additional surgical procedures

uterine evacuation (or dilation and curettage)

laparoscopy

laparotomy

Treatment complications and adverse events

Number of procedures (lab tests, ultrasounds)

Number of visits

Time to resolution

Patients’ preferences

Acceptability

Future fertility


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5
Study Design
5.1
General Design
This is a multi-site randomized comparative efficacy trial of strategies to manage a woman with a PPUL.
Randomization will be 1:2 between expectant management and active management, and 1:1 between active 
management A and active management B. (Thus randomization will be 1:1:1 into the three management arms.)
The arms will be:
1) Expectant management
2) Active management A)
Determine the location of the pregnancy by a uterine evacuation, followed by a pathologic evaluation. If no 
evidence of a uterine pregnancy is determined (i.e. non-visualized ectopic pregnancy), begin methotrexate 
dosage (50 mg/m2 given as an intramuscular injection).
3) Active management B)
Empiric treatment of all women with a PPUL without determination of the location of the gestation (Treatment 
with methotrexate)
For specifics of how MTX will be administered, please see below.
All patients will be followed by their clinicians who will determine subsequent management based on changes 
in clinical course, further evaluation of serial hCGs, repeat ultrasound, and symptoms. It is anticipated that in 
most cases the failed pregnancy will resolve (or be treated) successfully. Some women will fail or elect to stop 
initial management strategy and will be offered surgical or medical management. For example, the failed initial 
medical management of an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage necessitates surgical intervention.
5.2
Subject Selection and Withdrawal
5.2.1
Inclusion Criteria
1.
Female with a persisting pregnancy of unknown location:
a.
A pregnancy of unknown location is defined as a pregnancy in a woman with a positive pregnancy test 
but no definitive signs of pregnancy in the uterus or adnexa on ultrasound imaging. A definitive sign 
of gestation includes ultrasound visualization of a gestational sac with a yolk sac (with or without an 
embryo) in the uterus or in the adnexa (8). Ultrasound must be performed within 7 days prior to 
randomization.
b.
Persistence of hCG is defined as at least 2 serial hCG values (over 2-14 days), showing < 15% 
rise/day*, or < 50% fall between the first and last value. (This abnormal pattern of serial hCG 
confirms that the gestation is nonviable.)
*Calculated by day X/ baseline X 100 and then compare to table for the number of days between values as 
below:
2 days
30% or less
3 days
50% or less
4 days
75% or less
5 days
100% or less
6 days
130% or less


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7 days
166% or less
These numbers are rounded (conservatively) to accommodate ease of determination eligibility
The actuals % rise for 15%/ per day is: 1 day 15%, 2 days 32.3%, 3 days 52.1%, 4 days 74.9%, 5 days
101.1%, 6 days 131.3%, 7 days 166%
A minimal rise for a viable intrauterine pregnancy is 23% per day or 53% for two days. (4)
2.
Patient is hemodynamically stable
3.
Greater than or 18 years of age
5.2.2
Exclusion Criteria
1.
Hemodynamically unstable in need of acute treatment
2.
Most recent hCG > 5000 mIU/mL
3.
Patient obtaining care in relation to a recently completed pregnancy (delivery, spontaneous or elective 
abortion)
4.
Diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease
5.
Subject unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures
6.
Known hypersensitivity to MTX
7.
Presence of clinical contraindications for treatment with MTX (ACOG guidelines, Appendix B)
8.
Prior medical or surgical management of this gestation
9.
Subject unwilling to accept a blood transfusion
10. Patient ≤ 6.0 weeks gestation with known conception date with slow but continuous rise in hCG values (even if 
these values meet the inclusion definition above).  
5.3
Subject Recruitment and Screening
Subjects will be recruited for participation in this study from the clinical practices at the participating 
institutions. The subjects will be patients who are currently undergoing clinical care at these approved sites. 
The site staff will be responsible for identifying eligible patients who meet the inclusion criteria, and have none 
of the exclusion criteria. All subjects will be counseled and sign the informed consent form before undergoing 
any study procedures.
5.4
Informed Consent
The informed consent form will adequately address the risks and the benefits for the study, and will be 
approved by the IRB before any patients are enrolled in the study. No study procedures will be conducted 
before the patient signs the informed consent form.
The informed consent regarding clinical procedures (surgical intervention, administration of MTX, or expectant 
management, including side effect of each and chance of rupture of an EP) will be given in the context of 
normal clinical care by the treating clinicians, following local clinical standards.


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6
Study Procedures
6.1
Allocation of Randomization and Treatment
After a woman is identified to have a persisting pregnancy of unknown location by her clinical team (or 
clinician), eligibility will be determined. In the event that a clinical patient of the investigator (or study staff) 
meets the eligibility criteria for study participation, the investigator (or study staff) is required to document a 
second opinion related to the determination of viability of the pregnancy. If eligible, the subject will be offered 
enrollment into the study. The subject will be randomized by a computerized randomization tool.
Once the subject is randomized to initial management strategy, her clinical care will be continued with her 
clinical team (or clinician). Standard of care is to follow the subject until complete resolution of the persisting 
pregnancy of unknown location (defined by resolution of hCG from the serum to a value of less than 5 
mIU/mL) or treatment of an ectopic pregnancy (if identified). Follow up includes serial outpatient monitoring 
of hCG values, monitoring patient signs and symptoms, as well as ultrasound as needed. Based on these 
findings the treating physician may judge that surgical or medical intervention is required to diagnose or treat an 
ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Subjects will be screened for eligibility for MTX only after it is determined 
that they will receive it (i.e. via randomization or clinical discretion). Those who are randomized to receive 
MTX, but then are not able to receive it due to safety laboratory values, will be managed per the judgment of 
her treating physician.
Randomization will be performed when the patient is identified to have a persisting pregnancy of unknown 
location by a central randomization office utilizing an internet-based program. Randomization will be stratified 
by site. A 1:1:1 randomization scheme for Arms 1, 2 and 3, respectively, will be followed.
Below the three arms of the trial are described:
6.1.1
Expectant management
In this management arm the allocated plan is to expectantly manage the persisting pregnancy of unknown 
location without surgical or medical intervention, but with close clinical surveillance using serum hCG 
monitoring.
Success
Success of this management arm will be complete resolution of hCG from the serum, without medical or 
surgical intervention.
Failure
I) Failure is defined as the need for surgical or medical intervention to treat a persistent or ruptured ectopic 
pregnancy.
II) The need to perform a uterine evacuation to complete a miscarriage or to treat heavy bleeding also will be 
considered failure of this management arm.
6.1.2
Active management A: Uterine evacuation followed by MTX for those that have evidence 
of a non-visualized EP
In this management arm, a uterine evacuation or dilation and curettage will be scheduled. At the clinician's 
discretion, this can be performed using local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia and can use a manual or 
electrical vacuum evacuation. The procedure should be performed within three days of randomization.


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A repeat serum hCG value will be obtained within 12–36 hours of completion of the procedure. Based on this 
value one of two courses will be followed:
a) If the value has decreased by greater than (or equal to) 15%:
The uterine evacuation is considered compete and successful. No further treatment is indicated and the subject 
is followed as an outpatient until complete resolution of hCG from the serum.
b) If the value has decreased less than 15% (or increased):
The uterine evacuation is considered not to have removed the products of conception and the trophoblastic 
tissue is presumed to be ectopically located. In this case the diagnosis of a non-visualized ectopic pregnancy 
has been confirmed (5, 8). Treatment of the non-visualized ectopic pregnancy will be with intramuscular MTX 
using the 2-dose protocol (18). The administration of the first MTX injection should be within 48 hours of 
making the diagnosis of a non-visualized EP. For specifics regarding administration of MTX utilizing the 2 
dose protocol, see Appendix B.
After administration of MTX, no further treatment is indicated and the subject is followed as an outpatient until 
complete resolution of hCG from the serum.
If a woman is randomized to receive MTX but is ineligible after screening with safety laboratory abnormalities, 
she will not receive MTX, but will remain in the allocated treatment arm for statistical purposes. She will be 
treated at the discretion of her treating physician and success and failure will be determined based on treatment 
course as described below.
Success
Success of this management arm will be complete resolution of hCG from the serum after either uterine 
evacuation only (situation “a”) or after uterine evacuation and MTX administration (situation “b”), without 
further surgical intervention.
Failure
I) Failure of MTX management is defined as the need for surgical intervention to treat a persistent or ruptured 
ectopic pregnancy. The need to administer additional doses of MTX to treat a persistent ectopic pregnancy will 
be collected as a secondary outcome, but will not be defined as failure of this management arm because 
additional doses of methotrexate as necessary are part of the protocol for medical management of EP.
II) The need to perform a second uterine evacuation to complete a miscarriage or to treat heavy bleeding will be 
considered failure of this management arm.
6.1.3
Active management B: Empiric treatment with MTX
In this management arm, treatment will proceed directly to intramuscular MTX. The MTX should be 
administered within two days of randomization. For specifics regarding administration of MTX utilizing the 2 
dose protocol, see Appendix B.
If a woman is randomized to receive MTX but is ineligible due to screening with safety laboratory 
abnormalities, she will not receive MTX, but will remain in the allocated treatment arm for statistical purposes.


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She will be treated at the discretion of her treating physician and success and failure will be determined based
on treatment course as described below.
Success
Success of this management arm will be complete resolution of hCG from the serum after MTX administration, 
without surgical intervention.
Failure
I) Failure of MTX management is defined as the need for surgical intervention to treat a persistent or ruptured 
ectopic pregnancy. The need to administer additional doses of MTX to treat a persistent ectopic pregnancy will 
be collected as a secondary outcome, but will not be defined as failure of this management arm because 
additional doses of methotrexate as necessary are part of the protocol for medical management of EP.
II) The need to perform a uterine evacuation to complete a miscarriage or to treat heavy bleeding will be 
considered failure of this management arm.
6.2
Data Collection
Information collected includes baseline information, treatment allocation, and the clinical course of each 
subject.
6.2.1
Serum and Plasma samples
Serum and plasma samples will be obtained to assess for potential molecular markers of success at 
randomization (before treatment) and at approximately weekly intervals until resolution, as available. These 
samples will be obtained at the time of a clinical blood draw and will be banked. Residual serum from clinical 
tests will also be collected (if available) and banked for future assessment of serum predictive markers. Serum 
samples will be collected at all sites. Plasma samples will be collected at the University of Pennsylvania only.
Testing on these blood samples may include a proteomic screen and assessment of a panel of exploratory 
proteins potentially including but not limited to: ADAM 12, Inhibin A, Progesterone, Activin A, Vascular 
Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein, Pregnancy-associated plasma 
protein-A (PAPA), Glycodelin, Placental growth factor 1 (PIGF).
These blood samples may be used for genetic testing in the future. An example of potential genetic testing 
would be polymorphisms in genes involved in implantation, messenger RNA of proteins associated with early 
pregnancy or micro RNA.
6.2.2
Baseline information
Baseline information will include:

Demographics: age, race, ethnicity, site of treatment

Past gynecologic, obstetric and medical history

Characterization of the presenting signs and symptoms:
a) chief complaint
b) amount of pain (scale of 1–10)
c) bleeding (none, scant, light, heavy)

Results of laboratory tests: including hCG and relevant chemistry, hematology, blood type, and transvaginal 
pelvic ultrasound


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6.2.3
Follow up visits
Data collected at all follow up visits will include:

Date

Location (outpatient, emergency room, inpatient)

Change in symptoms (increase or decrease in pain and or bleeding)

Serum hCG value and other relevant laboratory values (hematology, chemistry, if ordered)

Results of ultrasound (if performed)

Adverse events

Procedures performed (i.e. dilation and evacuation, injection with MTX, laparoscopy)
This process will be continued until the persistent pregnancy of unknown location has resolved (hCG <5 
mIU/mL) or a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy has been made and treated.
6.2.4 Final Diagnosis Categorizations
Final diagnosis will be categorized as: resolved persistent PUL, histological non-viable IUP, and non- 
visualized EP (8). (See Figure 1 below.)
Figure 1: Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PUL)
If an EP is diagnosed, information on initial treatment (medical vs. surgical) and success of initial treatment will 
be collected.
The groups will also be compared as to the percentage of women diagnosed with each outcome. For example, 
women randomized to uterine evacuation will limit the diagnosis of resolved PUL or treated PUL as the 
procedure will more likely result in the diagnosis of EP (when uterine evacuation demonstrates no chorionic 
villi but the hCG value rises post-op) or nonviable IUP (when uterine evacuation demonstrates chorionic villi 
and thus the diagnosis of nonviable IUP is made).
6.2.5
Quality of Life, Acceptability, and Cost
A questionnaire assessing side effects and satisfaction and time away from work will be administered 3 weeks 
after management plan is initiated (range can be 2-4 weeks) (See Appendix C).


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6.2.6
Long term follow up
To assess fertility after the operation of the index persisting pregnancy of unknown location, the patient will be 
contacted by means of a questionnaire, every six months for a period of 24 months (See Appendix D).
Questions will focus on the desire for pregnancy, contraceptive use, infertility treatment, and the occurrence of 
any pregnancies and their outcome (including live birth, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy). If a 
hysterosalpingogram or a diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation is performed to assess the status of 
the tubes, the results will be recorded in the Case Record Form. However, assessment of tubal patency by 
means of a hysterosalpingogram or a diagnostic laparoscopy is not part of the protocol.
Standardized definitions of outcomes of a pregnancy of unknown location are provided in Appendix A.


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7
Statistical Plan
7.1
Sample Size Determination
The assumptions for sample size for this aim include allocation to expectant vs. active management (Table 1) 
AND when allocated to active treatment, equal allocation to one of two active treatment arms (Table 2). Thus 
the overall allocation is 1:1:1 to the three arms. All sites will have balanced randomization so that each site will 
contribute equal ratios for the 3 treatment arms.
Data suggest a 25% “failure” rate for expectant management: (3, 12, 13, 14). A recent randomized trial 
demonstrated that the failure rate for expectant management was approximately 40% for women with EP (13/32 
(40.6%) (16).  We anticipate that the failure rate in this trial will be approximately one half of that value 
because it is estimated that one half of the woman will have EP (and the other half miscarriage). Thus, failure 
rate of 25% for expectant management will be compared to an estimated failure rate for active management.
This failure of medical management for a PPUL is based on a modification of the failure rate for MTX to treat 
an EP. The failure of MTX to treat EP in the literature ranges from 8–25% (14, 15, 16, 17) with a population 
based estimate of 14.7 % (2). Specifically, we have demonstrated a failure rate of 13% for the 2 dose study 
protocol (20). The failure rate of MTX for a PPUL or non-visualized EP in this protocol is purposely lower 
than other estimates in the literature because not all women will have an EP. Also, women who do have a non- 
visualized EP are good candidates for successful medical management, with lower than average failure rates 
(21, 22). Thus, we estimated the failure rate in ‘Uterine evacuation followed by MTX for some’ to be 6%. The 
failure rate in ‘Empiric MTX for all’ is estimated to be 8% to account for a number of women who actually 
have a miscarriage (not an EP) that are not successfully treated with MTX. Medical management of a 
miscarriage with MTX is not the optimal treatment and some women will ultimately need a uterine evacuation. 
A failure rate of 7% (the average of 6% for ‘Uterine evacuation followed by MTX for some’ and 8% for 
‘Empiric MTX for all’) will be used as the expected failure rate of active management.
The primary hypothesis will test the superiority of active management (both active management arms 
combined) to expectant management with 90% power. The sample size requirement for the comparison of 25% 
failure vs. 7% failure requires 160 women allocated to active and 80 women allocated to expectant management 
(Table 1). With this sample size we will conclude that if the difference between active and expectant 
management is greater than 18%, active treatment is superior. This is a clinically relevant difference.
The sample size is determined to achieve 90% of power if the absolute difference is at least 18%. This 
difference will be lower when the active treatment is less successful and/or the expectant management is more 
successful. An absolute difference of less than 18% (or an hypothesized absolute failure rate for expectant 
management of less than 25%) would be considered clinically acceptable and would provide evidence to 
support its use.
Table 1: The sample size requirement comparisons of active expectant management
Sample Size 
Comparisons
Expectant
Management
Active
Management
Expected success rate
75%
93%
Expected failure rate
25%
7%
Number of subjects
80
160
Number of subjects
with 15% inflation
92
184


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Our secondary hypothesis is to determine which active management strategy is optimal. To address this
question we proposed using a non-inferiority approach to the two active management arms (Table 2). With 1:1 
randomization within the active treatment arm (80 in each active management strategy), assuming failure rates 
of 6% vs. 8%, with 80% power, we can test a non-inferior margin of 12%. Therefore, if one arm has an 
absolute failure rate above the upper limit for the CI (13%) it will be considered non-inferior. If the two failure 
rates are similar, and within the bounds of the CI, secondary outcomes will be considered to assess which is 
optimal.
Table 2: Non-inferiority approach to the two active management arms
Non-inferiority 
approach to the 
two active 
management arms
Active management 
strategy A
‘Uterine 
evacuation 
followed by MTX 
for some’
Active 
management B 
‘Empiric 
treatment with 
MTX for all”
Expected success
rate
94%
92%
Expected failure
rate
6%
8%
Number of subjects
80
80
Number of subjects
with 15% inflation
92
92
We have inflated the sample size by 15% to 276 women (92, 92, 92) to account for loss to follow-up. Based on 
anticipated recruitment of 175 cases of persistent PUL a year, we project that recruitment will take 2-3 years.
7.2
Statistical Methods
The percent failed of initial treatment course will be compared for each study arm, using logistic regression 
models which will include adjustment for site and any covariates determined to be imbalanced among the 
treatment arms. The primary analysis will assume 'Intent to Treat' (ITT) principles, whereby every participant 
randomized will be included for analysis. An “as treated” participant analysis will also be conducted, but 
considered secondary.
For our primary hypothesis, we hypothesize that there will be a higher failure rate for expectant management, 
compared to active management (both active management arms combined). For our secondary hypothesis we 
anticipate that the lowest failure of assigned active treatment will be uterine evacuation followed by medical 
management for some (active management strategy A) because this strategy will treat women with a 
miscarriage (with uterine evacuation) and will treat women with EP with MTX. The “failure” rate of empiric 
medical MTX management for all (active management strategy B) will be higher, as MTX is not always 
effective for women with a miscarriage (as they may need uterine evacuation later). If efficacy of active and 
expectant management is similar (or if the two active management strategies are similar) we will evaluate 
secondary outcomes and a cost effective analysis (see below).
Secondary outcome measures will be compared among the treatment arms. These outcomes include:

Number of ruptured ectopic pregnancies in each group

Quantification of re-interventions needed to manage a woman with a PPUL


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o
Outcomes include:

number of interventions beyond that of intended initial strategy in each group
o
additional number of MTX injections
o
additional surgical procedures

uterine evacuation (or dilation and curettage)

laparoscopy

laparotomy

Treatment complications

Adverse events

Number of procedures (lab tests, ultrasounds)

Number of visits

Time to resolution

Patients’ preferences

Acceptability

Future fertility (if desired)
Above and beyond the success or failure of the initial treatment method, the clinical consequences of the 
morbidity of the intervention and the percentage of failed treatment is also of great importance. Taking into 
account these factors, as well as cost, it is hypothesized that expectant management may be less slightly 
effective, but preferable. Alternatively in the comparison of active strategies, empiric treatment with MTX may 
be slightly less effective but preferable.
A cost effectiveness analysis is planned based on the cost and frequency of secondary outcomes (including 
medical tests, procedures and office visits). Financial costs and charge per procedure will be ascertained for 
this analysis using national averages. The cost effective analysis will be conducted from the perspective of the 
payer.


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8
Data Handling and Record Keeping
8.1
Confidentiality
Information about study subjects will be kept confidential and managed according to the requirements of the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Those regulations require a signed 
subject authorization informing the subject of the following:

What protected health information (PHI) will be collected from subjects in this study

Who will have access to that information and why

Who will use or disclose that information

The rights of a research subject to revoke their authorization for use of their PHI.
In the event that a subject revokes authorization to collect or use PHI, the investigator, by regulation, retains the 
ability to use all information collected prior to the revocation of subject authorization. For subjects that have 
revoked authorization to collect or use PHI, attempts will be made to obtain permission to collect at least vital 
status (i.e. that the subject is alive) at the end of their scheduled study period.
Loss of confidentiality is prevented through omitting personal identifiers in the research database. The dataset 
available to the researchers will identify patients by a unique ID number unrelated to any personal identifiers, 
and will be stripped of identifying information such as medical record number, name, contact information 
including address and phone number. A single web-based database will be used for all sites, but clinicians will 
only be able to view patients from their own hospital/practice site.
8.2
Records Retention
Per 21 CRF 312.62, it is the investigator’s responsibility to retain study essential documents for at least 2 years 
after the investigation is discontinued and the FDA is notified. These documents should be retained for a longer 
period if required by an agreement with the sponsor. In such an instance, it is the responsibility of the sponsor 
to inform the investigator/institution as to when these documents no longer need to be retained.


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9
Study Monitoring, Auditing, and Inspecting (Technical Aspects)
9.1
Study Monitoring
A monitoring plan that satisfies the Guideline for Monitoring of Clinical Investigations of the National Cancer 
Institute will be used. A Project Manager from the DCC will lead this effort, and report findings to the DCC PI. 
The Project Manager will have full knowledge of the study protocol, Manuals of Procedures, and is familiar 
with the database system and is trained to review patient charts. The Project Manager will be responsible for 
training and supervising other personnel.
Once personnel at a participating site are trained to recruit patients, the Project Manager will be sent to the site 
to help initiate the study according to the study protocol, and to ensure that the clinical site meets the scientific, 
clinical, and regulatory requirements. For example, the Project Manager will review all signed and dated forms 
required by the FDA (such as financial disclosure forms), the curriculum vitae and certifications of the 
investigators and personnel, CRF training, and the written IRB approval of the protocol and consent form.
The on-site monitor will return to the clinical site after a defined number of patients are recruited (can be as 
early as the recruitment of the 2nd patient) or a certain time period has passed, depending on the enrollment 
duration of the protocol execution. The schedule of visits will be discussed and agreed in the Steering 
Committee and we anticipate that the Project Manager will visit each participating site at least once.
During the site visit, the clinical sites should provide to the monitor a space and access to all relevant records 
including medical records and regulatory binders, and there would be immediate verbal feedback provided to 
the site after original source documents are compared to entries in the CRF. The clinical sites must agree to 
cooperate with the monitor to ensure that any problems detected in the course of these monitoring visits are 
resolved. The on-site monitor will conduct an audit of a random sample of entered information against the 
source documents, a review of all regulatory documents, a review of all informed consents, and a review of all 
pharmacy logs. The clinical site PI and coordinator should be available to meet the monitor during the visit. The 
monitor will review electronic data from all sites, providing a method for identifying systematic errors or 
problems.
To assure Good Clinical/Laboratory Practice, the monitor will control adherence to the protocol at the clinical 
sites and evaluate the competence of the personnel at the clinical sites including the ability to obtain written 
informed consents and record data correctly. The monitor will inform the DCC PI, the Steering Committee, and 
NICHD regarding problems relating to facilities, technical equipment, or medical staff. A thorough written 
report will follow each site-visit and will include a detailed itemization of discrepancies and items requiring 
follow-up or reconciliation. This report will also be forwarded to the research scientist at NICHD for review.
The monitor will be responsible for maintaining regular contacts between the investigators in the clinical sites 
and the RMN. When the study ends, the monitor will also visit the clinical site to provide assistance for close- 
out.
9.2
Safety Monitoring
Safety of this study will be closely monitored. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will evaluate the 
data at midpoint of recruitment and at the reporting of each serious adverse event (SAE). An interim analysis 
will be scheduled for safety after one half (138) of the subjects complete the trial. If safety or efficacy is an 
issue, one arm will be dropped or the study stopped. A two-arm study would still have clinical value.


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9.3
Adverse Events
Adverse Events
An adverse event (AE) is any symptom, sign, illness or experience that develops or worsens in severity during 
the course of the study. Not all events that would traditionally be defined as AEs will be collected for this trial. 
Intercurrent illnesses or injuries should not be regarded as adverse events. Abnormal results of diagnostic 
procedures are considered to be adverse events if the abnormality:

results in study withdrawal

is associated with a serious adverse event

is associated with clinical signs or symptoms

leads to additional treatment or to further diagnostic tests

is considered by the investigator to be of clinical significance
There are a number of expected side effects related to women at risk for ectopic pregnancy including 
mild abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and nausea. There are also a number of expected side effects 
related to medical management (nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, loss 
of appetite) and surgical management (nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, 
fatigue, loss of appetite, vaginal bleeding, surgical site incision pain). Some of these symptoms will be 
collected as part of patient satisfaction and quality of life (patient self reports). The only non-serious 
events that will be otherwise specifically collected and classified as AEs for this study are those that are 
both unexpected and considered to be related to study procedures or study drug.
Serious Adverse Events
A serious adverse event (SAE) is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that results in any of the 
following outcomes:
• Death
• Life-threatening (see Note A)
• Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization
• Persistent or significant disability/incapacity (see Note B)
• A congenital anomaly/birth defect 
http://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/howtoreport/ucm053087.htm.
Note A: the term “life-threatening” in the definition of “serious adverse event” refers to any serious adverse 
event that places the patient or subject, in the view of the investigator, at immediate risk of death from the 
reaction as it occurred, i.e., it does not include a reaction that had it occurred in a more severe form might have 
caused death.
Note B: the term “disability” in the definition of “serious adverse event” refers to a substantial disruption of a 
person’s ability to conduct normal life functions.
Note C: There are two serious adverse events that are expected and related to the condition of ectopic 
pregnancy: life threatening event due to rupture, and hospitalization for observation or recovery from surgery. 
In addition, salpingectomy for treatment of ectopic pregnancy may render a woman permanently infertile if her 
other tube had been previously removed.
Important medical events that may not result in death, be life-threatening, or require hospitalization may be 
considered a serious adverse drug experience when, based upon appropriate medical judgment, they may 
jeopardize the patient or subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the 
outcomes listed in this definition. Examples of such medical events include allergic bronchospasm requiring


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intensive treatment in an emergency room or at home, blood dyscrasias or convulsions that do not result in
inpatient hospitalization, or the development of drug dependency or drug abuse. 
All SAEs, regardless of relatedness, will be collected for this trial.
Adverse Event Reporting Period
The study period during which adverse events must be reported is normally defined as the period from the 
initiation of any study procedures to the end of the study treatment follow-up. For this study, the study 
treatment follow-up is defined as 42 days following the last administration of study treatment.
Hospitalization, Prolonged Hospitalization or Surgery
Any adverse event that results in hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization should be documented and 
reported as a serious adverse event. Any condition responsible for surgery should be documented as an adverse 
event if the condition meets the criteria for an adverse event.
Neither the condition, hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, nor surgery are reported as an adverse event in 
the following circumstances:

Hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization for diagnostic or elective surgical procedures for a preexisting 
condition. Surgery should not be reported as an outcome of an adverse event if the purpose of the surgery 
was elective or diagnostic and the outcome was uneventful.

Hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization required to allow efficacy measurement for the study.

Hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization for therapy of the target disease of the study, unless it is a 
worsening or increase in frequency of hospital admissions as judged by the clinical investigator.
The trial will be discontinued if a death or life-threatening adverse event related to the use of MTX, and not 
related to the underlying condition, occurs.
9.4 Reporting Adverse Events
All serious adverse events (SAEs) that occur from the start of study drug through 42 days after the last dose of 
study medication must be reported. A serious adverse event is defined as: fatal or immediately life-threatening; 
severely or permanently disabling; requiring or prolonging inpatient hospitalization; overdose (intentional or 
accidental); congenital anomaly; pregnancy loss after 20 weeks gestation; neonatal death up to 6 weeks after 
delivery; or, any event adversely affecting the study’s risk/benefit ratio. Additionally, any event that, based on 
appropriate medical judgment, may jeopardize the subject’s health and may require medical or surgical 
intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above is considered an SAE.
The site PI will report the SAE by completing and signing the Serious Adverse Event Report Form [available in 
the “Study Forms” section of the RMN members-only website], and then emailing the document in PDF format 
to rmn.dcc@mailman.yale.edu. Subjects will be identified by study number only. No other identifying 
information will be included on the form. The site PI must determine and record on the SAE form whether the 
SAE is unanticipated or anticipated, and if it is related, possibly related, or unrelated to participation in the 
research.
DCC staff will enter the SAE information in the central database and the Safety Surveillance team, consisting of 
the DCC, NICHD research scientist and lead PI of the protocol, will analyze the SAE to determine if it meets the 
criteria listed in the OHRP 45CFR46 and/or FDA 21CFR312.32 & 3.14.80.


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These determinations will dictate timeframes for sites’ submission to the DCC, and the DCC’s submission to the 
DSMB:
TYPE
SITE
DCC
Unanticipated and 
related/possibly related 
SAE, fatal or life-
threatening
Report to DCC within 1 
business day of discovery
Notify DSMB by end of 
next business day of 
receiving site report
Other unanticipated and 
related/possibly related SAE
Report to DCC within 1 
business day of discovery
Notify DSMB within 5 
business days of receiving
site report
Anticipated and 
related/possibly related SAE
Report to DCC within 5 
business days of discovery
Notify DSMB within 5 
business days of receiving
site report
Unrelated SAE (anticipated 
or unanticipated)
Report to DCC within 10 
business days (no more than 
3 weeks) of discovery
Notify DSMB within 10 
business days (no more than 
3 weeks) of receiving site
report
Upon receiving notification of an SAE, the DSMB will review it via a closed-session email or conference-call 
discussion arranged by the NICHD RMN Committee Coordinator (RMN CC). The DSMB will send a report to 
the RMN CC within two weeks; reports for life-threatening SAEs will be submitted in one week. The DSMB


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report will include: statement indicating what related information the DSMB reviewed; the review date; the
DSMB’s assessment of the information reviewed; and the DSMB’s recommendation, if any, for the DCC.
The RMN CC will then forward the DSMB report to the DCC for the record and appropriate disbursal. The DCC 
will forward reportable events to all RMN investigators, NICHD, and the FDA on behalf of the NICHD if the 
protocol is under IND. The NICHD Project Scientist will review, sign, and return the IND safety report to the 
DCC within 2 business days, and will follow up with the site PI and DCC on the SAE until it is resolved. The 
Protocol PI will evaluate the frequency and severity of the SAEs and determine if modifications to the protocol 
and consent form are required. Site PIs will report the SAE to their site IRB according to local IRB requirements. 
Further information is found in the RMN DSMB Communication Procedure.
Adverse events deemed non-serious will also be recorded throughout study participation from the start of study 
drug through day 42 after the last dose of study medication, and reported to the DCC. If an anticipated serious 
adverse event occurs at a frequency greater than expected, the DCC will notify the DSMB by the end of the next 
business day of discovery and follow the procedures for reporting serious and unanticipated and related adverse 
events. The DCC will forward relevant safety information to the DSMB. If an adverse event not initially 
determined to be reportable to the FDA under 21CFR312.32 is so reportable, the DCC will report the adverse 
event to the FDA within 15 calendar days after the determination is made.
A flowchart for SAEs follows:


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SAE Detected
Site study team analyzes the SAE based on the protocol criteria.
Protocol criteria for serious adverse events are met
Site reports SAE to DCC in PDF format by email to 
rmn.dcc@mailman.yale.edu within the following time frame.
Related or possibly related to study treatment
Unrelated to study treatment
Unanticipated
Site reports SAE to 
DCC within 1 
business day
Anticipated
Site reports SAE to 
DCC within 5 
business days
Site reports SAE to 
DCC within 10 
business days
DCC receives site SAE report
Related or possibly related to study treatment
Unrelated to study treatment
Unanticipated
DCC reports to Yale 
HIC within 48 hours
Anticipated
DCC reports to 
Yale HIC at annual 
renewal
Fatal/life- 
threatening
Other
DCC reports 
SAE to DSMB
within 1 
business day
DCC reports 
SAE to DSMB
within 5 
business days
DCC reports 
SAE to DSMB
within 5 
business days
DCC reports 
SAE to DSMB
within 10 
business days
DSMB receives DCC report
DSMB initiates closed-session discussion and generates report.
Fatal/life- 
threatening
DSMB sends report to RMN 
CC within 1 week
DCC reports findings to all 
RMN investigators, NICHD, 
and the FDA on behalf of the 
NICHD, if the protocol is 
under IND, within 1 week.
Other
DSMB sends report to RMN 
CC within 2 weeks
DCC reports findings to all 
RMN investigators, NICHD, 
and the FDA on behalf of the 
NICHD, if the protocol is 
under IND, within 2 weeks.


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Site investigators report to their local IRB
CFR= Code of Federal Regulations


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9.5 Auditing and Inspecting
The Investigator will permit study-related monitoring, audits, and inspections by the IRB, the sponsor, 
government regulatory bodies, and any applicable compliance and quality assurance groups (e.g. local Hospital 
or University entities) of all study related documents (e.g. source documents, regulatory documents, data 
collection instruments, study data etc.). The Investigator will ensure the capability for inspections of applicable 
study-related facilities (e.g. pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, etc.).
Participation as an Investigator in this study implies acceptance of potential inspection by these entities.
9.6 Ethical Considerations
This study is to be conducted according to US and international standards of Good Clinical Practice (FDA Title 
21 part 312 and International Conference on Harmonization guidelines), applicable government regulations and 
local Institutional research policies and procedures.
This protocol and any amendments will be submitted to a properly constituted independent Institutional Review 
Board (IRB), in agreement with local legal prescriptions, for formal approval of the study conduct. The 
decision of the IRB concerning the conduct of the study will be made in writing to the investigator.
9.7 Study Finances
9.7.1 Conflict of Interest
None of the investigators have a conflict of interest associated with this study.


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10 Publication Policy
10.1 Overall Policy
The publications policy proposes guidelines for publications that originate from our collaborative Reproductive 
Medicine Network. Decisions concerning publications shall be determined by consensus (majority vote) of the 
collaborating principal investigators (or designate) noted below as the "Network". This policy is designed to 
promote prompt, exact, quality publications and presentations of Network studies with appropriate academic 
recognition of those with significant contributions. Protocols are classified into three types: ‘Main Study’ (which 
may include major and minor publications), ‘Ancillary Study’, and ‘Pilot Study’. Additionally there may be 
publications from concepts or ideas generated by the RMN (“Related Publications”) or from other groups utilizing 
RMN data and/or specimens “Outside Studies” (those utilizing data and/or specimens from the RMN studies). 
Abstract submissions to national meetings will also follow the publications policy below. The progress of 
publications (including presentations) will be a standing agenda note on all phone conferences and meetings. The 
Steering Committee will make the final disposition regarding disputes with respect to analysis request approval, 
prioritization, presentation, authorship and/or manuscript submission.
10.2 Main Study
A Main Study is a Network study designed prospectively by an investigator independent of other studies. 
Generally that investigator becomes Lead investigator of the protocol and Chair of the Protocol Subcommittee. 
At the end of each Main Study, a primary analysis resulting in the primary manuscript and a number of secondary 
analyses is produced based on the research questions stated in the protocol. The Protocol Subcommittee Chair is 
the primary author of the primary analysis. A main study can generate major (related to the major hypotheses) 
and minor publications (relating to secondary hypotheses).
10.2.1 Major Publications
A major publication is defined as one reporting results of the major hypotheses tested. (For example, does 
hMG/IUI increase cyclic fecundity in couples with unexplained or male factor infertility?).
1. Authorship: Publications will include the names of investigators from each RMU and the DCC rather than 
merely identify the “Reproductive Medicine Network”. Each RMU and DCC will have up to two authors per 
publication, ordinarily the PI and the Co-PI, but this may at times involve another investigator who has contributed 
to the study at their site, in lieu of the PI or Co-PI. The principal investigator at each RMU will be responsible for 
submitting the names of the two authors from that unit and designating them as either the primary and secondary 
authors of the unit. No more than 2 authors may represent a RMN site. An ancillary site (such as a SCCPIR) may 
only have 1 investigator.
The Steering Committee Chair and NIH Project Scientist will be authors. Occasionally, additional authors, both 
within and outside the RMN may be appropriate. In these cases, the final decision will be by Network consensus 
(majority vote of the steering committee required).
2. First Author: The lead investigator initiating the protocol, chairing the Protocol Subcommittee will be the first 
author. The first author would always be expected to prepare the initial draft of the manuscript, after receiving 
approval from the Network to proceed. The author will prepare the first draft of the manuscript in a timely fashion 
after receiving all the relevant data analyses from the DCC. The primary author will circulate the final draft to all 
authors prior to submission, with a timely turnaround of comments from other authors expected. Final decision 
of the manuscript content will be determined by the Protocol Subcommittee. In the event that the initiating 
protocol investigator declines first authorship or fails to meet the timeline determined by


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the Steering Committee (as determined by majority vote) and monitored monthly, the next RMU investigator in
the rank order of authors (described below) will be the first author.
3. Authorship Order: All authorships are expected to meet reasonable criteria as set forth by (International 
Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals. 
http://www.icmje.org. Updated February 2006. Accessed April 4, 2007. ) The overall authorship order will be 1) 
the primary author, 2) RMU investigators, additional outside investigators with a limit of one author per site (e.g. 
SCCPIR investigators if applicable), followed by the Steering Committee Chair, NIH Project Scientist, and then 
the authors of the DCC.
Authorship 
Order
Category
Description
1
Lead Investigator of the Protocol (N =1)
2
Primary RMN Investigators of the Protocol (N = 6);
DCC Investigator (N = 1)
3
Outside Investigators (i.e. Primary investigator of
SCCPIR sites) (N = to be determined)
4
Additional Investigators (by Steering Committee
vote) (N = to be determined)
5
Secondary RMN Investigators (N = 7)
6
Steering Committee Chair (N = 1)
7
NIH Project Scientist (N = 1)
8
DCC PI (N = 1)
9
“for the NICHD Reproductive Medicine Network”
It is anticipated there will be up to 18-25 authors per major manuscript. The authorship order of the RMUs and 
outside sites will be based upon subject recruitment, data accuracy and promptness of data report according to the 
chart below:
Investigative
Sites
# Subjects
Rank
Accuracy
Rank
Total
Rank
Authorship
Order
A
1
4
5
3
B
2
7
9
6
C
3
1
4
2
D
4
2
6
4
E
5
3
8
5
F
6
5
11
7
G
7
6
13
8
Data accuracy will be ranked according to the rate of missing or false data entries/randomized subject at each site. 
Inquires that show data was accurately entered will not count against this rate of data inaccuracy. Each site’s PI 
will be responsible to document the contributions to the study of that site’s authors. In the event the journal editor 
requires fewer authors even after written documentation of the authors’ contribution has been provided, the 
steering committee will vote on the authorship order which will include at a minimum the Lead Investigator and 
PI of the DCC (or his/her designate) in the positions listed above with the authorship order ending with the 
footnoted statement “for the Reproductive Medicine Network”. The other authors will be referenced in the 
footnote and listed in the title page.


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4. Acknowledgement Section: The acknowledgement section will include other investigators and study personnel 
who contributed substantially to the study by site, as well as members of the Advisory Board and the Data and 
Safety Monitoring Board. The designation will list the initials of the individual followed by their highest degree 
(e.g. C. L. Gnatuk, J.L. Ober, R.N., etc.). Significant contributions include but are not limited to protocol review, 
initiation and participation at each site, subject recruitment and enrollment, study conduct, data analysis, and 
preparation of the manuscript.
10.2.2 Minor Publications
Minor studies are defined as those in which the hypotheses would not be the main elements of Network studies, 
but in which the study data base would be utilized to test secondary hypotheses. (One example would be testing 
whether metformin use spares the dose of clomiphene resulting in lower dose needs.) Ideas for "minor studies" 
will, in general, be proposed by a single individual, who would direct all efforts leading to publication and 
representation. The results from minor studies would be handled similarly to those from major studies. The 
“Protocol” is defined as the Concept Protocol/study design of the hypothesis resulting in the publication.
Authorship will follow the Major publications guidelines above with the exception that the individual leading the 
minor study would be the first author, followed by the ranked primary RMN investigators involved in developing 
the Concept Protocol. The Lead Investigator of the minor publication can propose additional investigators who 
contributed to the study, whose inclusion in the authorship will be voted on by the Steering Committee (majority 
vote of SC required for inclusion in authorship). Centers may wish to withdraw inclusion from authorship of 
publications of minor studies in which only data are contributed, and this will be the decision of the individual 
site (RMU) PI.
10.3 Ancillary Study
An Ancillary Study is an observational study, conducted as a supplement to a Main Study, and will have a 
separate written protocol. By definition, an Ancillary Study involves all or a subset of patients enrolled in a 
Main Study. An Ancillary Study does not involve any additional participants. To be defined as an Ancillary 
Study, there must be a need for collection of additional data not already collected in the Main Study. An 
Ancillary Study may also be designed by another Network investigator, who would serve as the lead 
investigator and primary author of the paper. Ancillary Studies may be a “single-center” or “multi-center”. 
A “single-center” Ancillary Study is a study in which all data are collected, stored and analyzed at a single 
center. The center bears the additional cost of such a study. The study requires approval of the Main Study 
Protocol Subcommittee and the Steering Committee. The center conducting the study is responsible for the 
analysis and reporting of the results. Abstracts and manuscripts resulting from data from the single-center 
Ancillary Study are not subject to the RMN Publications Policies.
A “multi-center” Ancillary Study is defined as one for which data or material (such as specimens) are collected 
at more than one center, or additional funds for conduct of the study are provided by the NICHD RMN and the 
DCC provides data analysis. Multi-center Ancillary Studies require the approval of the Main Study Protocol 
Subcommittee and the Steering Committee.
Authorship will be as per Major publications above with the exception that the individual leading the ancillary 
study and writing the paper would be the first author, followed by ranked RMN primary investigators, etc. A 
center not participating in the ancillary study would not receive authorship unless by majority vote of the 
steering committee.
10.4 Pilot Study
A Pilot Study is a preliminary study that generates data to help in the design of a Main Study and is the 
responsibility of the Main Study Protocol Subcommittee. The DCC collaborates with the Protocol Committee


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to complete the analysis, which may or may not generate an abstract for presentation and/or a manuscript for
publication. The DCC writes a Final Report if there is sufficient data to justify one. It is not expected there will 
be any secondary analyses resulting from a Pilot Study.
10.5 Related Publications
A related publication is one that has had significant input from members of the RMN Steering Committee at 
formal meetings in terms of study significance and design. It is distinct from an ancillary publication in that a 
related publication reports on a study, concept or new methodology that has not been subjected to formal 
DSMB review and approval. Generally, “Related Publications” will arise from ideas and studies discussed with 
the Steering Committee, but not voted upon to become formal protocols.
The investigator who initiates, conducts and writes the study and those who (s)he names will be the sole 
authors. The authors should acknowledge the contribution of the NICHD Reproductive Medicine Network in 
the author line of the publication according to the format of the journal.
10.6 Outside Studies
Outside studies will result from the sharing of intellectual property, data and/or specimens with investigators 
whose protocols have been approved by the steering committee, and who comply with all components of those 
policies. All publications will acknowledge the assistance of NICHD, the RMN, and the Protocol Subcommittee 
in making the database available on behalf of the project. In addition, however, a disclaimer will need to be 
included stating, “The contents of this report represent the views of the authors and do not represent the views 
of the NICHD Reproductive Medicine Network.” The authors will be requested to cc the submitted manuscript 
to the NICHD program official to ensure compliance. These policies apply to both Network centers and outside 
centers.
10.7 Presentations
Network data should be presented before national organizations by the lead investigators of Main Studies, 
Ancillary, and Pilot studies. Organizations that might be appropriate include the American Society of 
Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, the American College of Obstetricians and 
Gynecologists, the American Urology Society and other urology or andrology societies. All presentations will 
be approved by the P & P committee. Once data are published in at least abstract form, all members of the 
Network can cite them publicly in lectures.
However, investigators should avoid citing specific numbers in review articles and chapters, for this could 
jeopardize peer review publication. Authorship, First Author, and Author Order are as described for Major 
Publications, and if there is an authorship limit to the abstract we will follow the plan above under Major 
Publications. Oral and poster presentations, including those resulting from secondary analyses at professional 
societies, must list all authors and participating institutions. In addition, they must include both the NICHD 
RMN logo and NIH Department of Health and Human Services logos that can be found on the Network web 
site.


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11 References
1. Chow WH, Daling JR, Cates W Jr, Greenberg RS. Epidemiology of ectopic pregnancy. Epidemiol Rev 
1987;9:70-94.
2. Hoover KW, Tao G, Kent CK. Trends in the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy in the United 
States. Obstet Gynecol 2010;115:495–502.
3. Barnhart KT. Ectopic pregnancy. New Eng J Med 2009;361(4):379-87.
4. Seeber B, Sammel M, Guo W, Zhou L, Hummel A, Barnhart KT. Application of redefined hCG curves for 
the diagnosis of women at risk for ectopic pregnancy. Fertil Steril 2006;86:454-459.
5. Shaunik A, Kulp J, Appleby DH, Sammel MD, Barnhart KT. Utility of dilation and curettage in the 
diagnosis of pregnancy of unknown location. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;204(2):130.e1-6.
6. Condous G, Okaro E, Khalid A, Lu C, Van Huffel S, Timmerman D, et al. The accuracy of transvaginal 
ultrasonography for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy prior to surgery. Hum Reprod 2005;20(5):1404-9.
7. Barnhart KT, Fay C, Suescum M, Sammel MD, Appleby DH, Shaunik A, Dean AJ. Clinical Factors 
Affecting the Accuracy of Ultrasound in Symptomatic First Trimester Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 2011;117(2 
Pt 1):299-306.
8. Barnhart KT , van Mello N, Bourne T, Kirk E, Van Calster B, Bottomley C, Chung K, Condous G, 
Goldstein S, Hajenius P, Mol BW, Molinaro T, O’Flynn O’Brien K, Husicka R, Sammel M, Dirk Timmerman
D. Pregnancy of unknown location: A consensus statement of nomenclature, definitions and outcome. Fertil 
Steril 2011;95(3):857-66.
9. Medical management of ectopic pregnancy. ACOG practice bulletin 2008;6(111):1479-1485.
10. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Medical treatment of ectopic 
pregnancy. Fert Steril 2008;90(3):S206-212.
11. E. Kirk, G. Condous, B. Van Calster, S. Van Huffel, D. Timmerman, and T. Bourne, Rationalizing the 
follow-up of pregnancies of unknown location, Human Reproduction 22 (2007) 1744-1750
12. Korhonen J, Stenman UH, Ylostalo P. Low dose oral methotrexate with expectant management of ectopic 
pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1996;88(5):775-8.
13. Elson J, Tailor A, Banerjee S, Salim R, Hillaby K, Jurkovic D. Expectant management of tubal ectopic 
pregnancy: prediction of successful outcome using decision tree analysis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2004 
Jun;23(6):552-6.
14. van Mello NM, Mol F, Adriaanse AH, Boss EA, Dijkman AB, Doornbos JP, Emanuel MH, Friederich J, 
Leeuw-Harmsen L, Lips JP, van Santbrink EJ, Verhoeve HR, Visser H, Ankum WM, Veen F, Mol BW,


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15. Hajenius PJ. The METEX study: methotrexate versus expectant management in women with ectopic
pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Womens Health 2008;8(1):10.
16. van Mello NM, Mol F, Verhoeve HR, Van Wely M, Adriaanse AH, Boss EA, Dijkman AB, Bayram N, 
Emanuel MH, Friedrerich J, van der Leeuw-Harmsen L, Lips JP, Van Kessel MA, Ankum WM, van der Veen 
F, Mol BW, Hajenius PJ. Methotrexate or expectant management in women with an ectopic pregnancy or 
pregnancy of unknown location and low serum hCG concentrations: A randomized comparison. Hum Reprod 
2013; 28(1); 60-6
17. Banerjee S, Aslam N, Woelfer B, Lawrence A, Elson J, Jurkovic D. Expectant management of early 
pregnancies of unknown location: a prospective evaluation of methods to predict spontaneous resolutionof 
pregnancy. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 2001;108:158–163.
18. Hajenius PJ, Mol F, Mol BW, Bossuyt PM, Ankum WM, van der Veen F. Interventions for tubal ectopic 
pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007:CD000324.
19. Barnhart KT, Gosman G, Ashby R, Sammel M. The medical management of ectopic pregnancy: a meta- 
analysis comparing “single dose” and “multidose” regimens. Obstet Gynecol 2003;101:778-784.
20. Barnhart KT, Hummel AC, Sammel MD, Menon S, Jain J, Chakhtoura N. Use of 2 dose regimen of 
methotrexate to treat ectopic pregnancy. Fert Steril 2007;87:250-6
21. Menon S, Collins JA, Barnhart KT. Establishing a human chorionic gonadotropin cutoff to guide 
methotrexate treatment of ectopic pregnancy: A systematic review. Fertil Steril 2007; 87: 481-484.
22. Lipscomb GH, McCord ML, Stovall TG, Huff G, Portera SG, Ling FW. Predictors of success of 
methotrexate treatment in women with tubal ectopic pregnancies. N Engl J Med 1999;341:1974–1978.


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12 Appendix A: Definition of Risk Factors and Variables
Definition of pregnancy outcome will include:


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13 Appendix B: Two-Dose Methotrexate Protocol
Baseline hematologic, hepatic (ALT AST, GGT) and renal function testing (serum creatinine) will be 
established via serum complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and hCG level. 
Baseline laboratories must be performed within 5 days of administration of MTX with the exception of the hCG 
value, which must be obtained within 24 hours of MTX administration.
Specific exclusionary parameters include elevation of liver function testing greater than or equal to 1.5 times of 
the upper limit of normal, white blood cell count less than 3000/uL, platelet count less than 100,000/uL, and 
clinical significant renal dysfunction (at the discretion of the clinician). Women will also be excluded from 
beginning MTX therapy if any hematologic, liver, or renal laboratory values are below the lower limit of 
normal. If any of these parameters are met, MTX administration is contraindicated.
The patient will be counseled that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is prohibited 
during treatment with Methotrexate.
The patient will receive the first dose of MTX 50mg/m2 on treatment day 0.
She will receive a second dose of MTX 50mg/m2 on treatment day 4 and a serum hCG level will be drawn.
The patient will have a serum hCG evaluated on treatment day 7.
If the decline in serum hCG level is greater than or equal to a 15% decline from day 4 to day 7, the patient will 
then receive weekly serum hCG levels until they are <5mIU/mL, at which point treatment will be successfully 
completed.
If the serum hCG levels from day 4 to day 7 fails to decline by at least 15%, the patient remains clinically 
stable, and screening laboratory values (hematologic, hepatic and renal function testing will be established via 
serum complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) will be repeated and if not 
exclusionary, the patient will receive a third dose of MTX 50mg/m2.
Specific exclusionary parameters include elevation of liver function testing greater than or equal to 1.5 times of 
the upper limit of normal, white blood cell count less than 3000/uL, platelet count less than 100,000/uL, and 
clinically significant renal dysfunction (at the discretion of the clinician). If any of these parameters are met, 
MTX administration is contraindicated and it will be held until values return to the normal range (if subsequent 
dose is desired).
If MTX is administered on treatment day 7, the patient will return for a treatment day 11 visit.
On treatment day 11, the patient will obtain a serum hCG level.
If the decline in serum hCG level is greater than or equal to a 15% decline from day 7 to day 11, the patient will 
then receive weekly serum hCG levels until they are <5mIU/mL, at which point treatment will be successfully 
completed.
If the serum hCG levels from day 7 to day 11 fail to decline by at least 15%, the patient remains clinically 
stable, and screening laboratory values (hematologic, hepatic and renal function testing will be established via


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serum complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) will be repeated and if not 
exclusionary, the patient will receive a fourth dose of MTX 50mg/m2.
Specific exclusionary parameters include elevation of liver function testing greater than or equal to 1.5 times of 
the upper limit of normal, white blood cell count less than 3000/uL, platelet count less than 100,000/uL, and 
clinically significant renal dysfunction (at the discretion of the clinician). If any of these parameters are met, 
MTX administration is contraindicated and it will be held until values return to the normal range (if subsequent 
dose is desired).
If MTX is administered on treatment day 11, the patient will return for a treatment day 14 visit.
On treatment day 14, the patient will obtain a serum hCG level. If the decline in serum hCG level is greater 
than or equal to a 15% decline from day 11 to day 14, the patient will then receive weekly serum hCG levels 
until they are <5mIU/mL, at which point treatment will be successfully completed.
If the serum hCG levels from day 11 to day 14 fails to decline by at least 15%, medical management will be 
considered a failure and the patient will be referred for surgical treatment.
Exclusion criteria for administration of Methotrexate (ACOG Guidelines)
Absolute contraindications
1. Breastfeeding
2. Overt or laboratory evidence of immunodeficiency
3. Alcoholism, alcoholic liver disease, or other chronic disease/condition
4. Liver disease
5. Preexisting blood dyscrasias, such as bone marrow
Day 0 
Safety labs, hCG, 
MTX (Dose #1)
Day 4 
hCG,
MTX (Dose #2)
hCG drop ≥ 15% from day 4
Day 7 
Safety labs, hCG
hCG rise or <15% drop from day 4 
Day 7 MTX (Possible Dose #3)
(Possible Dose #4)
hCG drop ≥ 15% from day 7
Day 11 
Safety 
labs, hCG
hCG drop ≥ 15% from day 11
Day 14 
Safety labs, hCG
hCG rise or <15% drop from day 11
INITIAL TREATMENT SUCCESS
Check hCG weekly until negative
TREATMENT FAILURE
Refer for surgical management


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hypoplasia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
6. Significant Anemia
7. Known sensitivity to methotrexate
8. Active pulmonary disease
9. Peptic ulcer disease
10. Hepatic, renal, or hematologic dysfunction
Relative contraindications
1. Gestational sac larger than 3.5 cm
2. Embryonic cardiac motion


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14 Appendix C: Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire 
Source Document
Reproductive Medicine Network
Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location - a 
Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active Treatment versus 
Expectant Management (No Treatment) The “ACT or NOT TRIAL”
A.
QUALITY OF LIFE
 
1A.
Questionnaire done
Yes
No
2.
Since you enrolled in the study, how much of the time have you had the following problems with your work or other 
regular daily activities as a result of your physical health?
IF NO, SKIP TO SECTION D ITEM 3.
B.
Accomplished less than you would like
C.
Were limited in the kind of work or other activities
D.
Had difficulty performing the work or other activities
3.
Since you enrolled in the study, how much of the time have you had the following problems with your work or other 
regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems (such as feeling depressed or anxious)?
A.
Cut down on the amount of time you spent on work or other 
activities
B.
Accomplished less than you would like
None 
of the 
time
A
little 
of the 
time
Some 
of the 
time
A good 
bit of 
the 
time
Most 
of the 
time
All of 
the 
time
C.
Didn’t do work or other activities as carefully as usual
4.
The next questions ask about your social activities from the time you enrolled in the study until now.
1.
Visit date
 
   
 
-
 
   
-
2
0
1
Month
Day
Year
None
A
Some
A good
Most
All of
of the
little
of the
bit of
of the
the
time
of the
time
the
time
time
time
time
A.
Cut d 
activit
own on the amount of time you spent on w 
ies
ork or other


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A.
To what extent has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your normal social activities with
family, friends, neighbors or groups?
Not at all 
Slightly 
Moderately 
Quite a bit 
Extremely
B.
Compared to your usual level of social activity, has your social activity decreased, stayed the same or increased 
because of a change in your physical or emotional condition?
Much less socially active than before 
Somewhat less socially active than before 
About as socially active as before 
Somewhat more socially active than before 
Much more socially active than before
C.
How often has your health limited your social activities (like visiting friends or close relatives?)
None of the time 
A little of the time 
Some of the time
A good bit of the time 
Most of the time
All of the time
D.
Compared to others your age, are your social activities more or less limited because of physical health or 
emotional problems?
Much more limited than others 
Somewhat more limited than others 
About the same as others 
Somewhat less limited than others 
Much less limited than others
5.
The next questions are about any physical pain you may have experienced.
A.
How much bodily pain have you had since you enrolled in the study?
None 
Very mild 
Mild 
Moderate 
Severe
Very Severe
B.
Since you enrolled in the study, how much of the time has pain interfered with the following things?
B.
Your normal work (including the work both outside the home 
and housework)
C.
Your mood
D.
Your ability to work or move about
None 
of the 
Time
A
little 
of the 
time
Some 
of the 
time
A good 
bit of 
the 
time
Most 
of the 
time
All 
of 
the 
time


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E.
F.
G.
Your sleep
Your recreational activities 
Your enjoyment of life
6.
From the time you enrolled in the study until now, how much of the time:
None 
of the 
Time
A
little 
of the 
time
Some 
of the 
time
A good 
bit of 
the
time
Most 
of the 
time
All 
of 
the
time
A.
Did you feel full of life?
B.
Did you have a lot of energy?
C.
Did you feel worn out?
D.
Did you feel tired?
E.
Did you have enough energy to do the things you wanted to 
do?
B.
ACCEPTABILITY
The next questions are about the medical treatment you had for your pregnancy.
Totally
Unacceptable
Somewhat
Unacceptable
Neutral
Somewhat
Acceptable
Totally
Acceptable
1.
How acceptable was the treatment?
2.
How acceptable was the cramping pain?
3.
How acceptable was the bleeding?
4.
How acceptable were the side effects of 
the treatment?
5.
How acceptable was the duration of the 
symptoms?
6.
How acceptable was the time spent on 
treatment?
7.
Overall, do you think the side effects of your treatment are:
Better than what you expected 
About the same as expected 
Worse than what you expected
8.
If someone you know has a condition similar to yours, would you recommend this treatment to her?
Absolutely not 
Probably not 
Not sure 
Probably yes 
Absolutely yes
9.
If you ever had a condition similar to yours in the future, would you want the same type of treatment?


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Absolutely not 
Probably not 
Not sure 
Probably yes 
Absolutely yes
C.
COST INFORMATION (FOR PERIOD AFTER YOU ENROLLED INTO THE STUDY)
1.
Did you miss any days of school or work due to your pregnancy?
Yes
No
Work
School
How many days?
__
__
2.
Has your illness required any members of your family or friends to help you out (either by taking 
care of you or by managing your household)?
Yes
No
A.
About how many hours total have family or friends spent in helping with your care?
 
_
hours
B.
How many hours total did they spend helping by caring for your children?
 
_ _
hours
Not Applicable
3.
Were they required to take off time from work to assist you?
Yes
No
A.
How much money total was lost to them for staying home? $
_ 
_
4.
Did you pay for someone to take care of you, your household or your children?
Yes
No
A.
How much overall have you paid for the care?
$
_ 
_
5.
How much of your time was spent at each doctor’s visit for your pregnancy after you enrolled in the study? 
Please include transit time, the amount of time that you may have had to wait, and all time associated with 
the doctor’s visit.
A.
Initial Visit
 
_Minutes
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
B.
2nd Visit
Minutes
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
C.
3rd Visit
 
Minutes
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
D.
4th Visit
 
Minutes
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
IF YES, ANSWER A AND B.
IF YES, ANSWER A AND B.
IF YES, ANSWER A.
IF YES, ANSWER A.


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Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month    Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month    Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month    Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month    Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month   Day
Year
Visit Date: __    /
/20__   
Month    Day
Year
6.
How much does it cost you every time you come to the clinic, including
transportation and parking?
$ _ _ _  
7.
How much did you pay for medicines you bought from the drug store?
$ _  
8.
Can you think of any other costs associated with your pregnancy after you
enrolled in the study?
Yes
No
If Yes, Specify:
$  
$  
$  
$  
9.
Below is a list of possible side effects. Please select the most appropriate response for each of the 
following symptoms:
E.
5th Visit
 
Minutes
F.
6th Visit
 
Minutes
G.
7th Visit
 
Minutes
E.
8th Visit
 
Minutes
H.
9th Visit
 
Minutes
I.
10th Visit
 
Minutes
J.
11th Visit
 
Minutes
K.
12th Visit
 
Minutes
L.
13th Visit
 
Minutes
M.
14th Visit
 
Minutes
N.
15th Visit
 
Minutes
O.
16th Visit
 
Minutes


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10.
How would you rate your overall Satisfaction with this treatment?
Very Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neither Dissatisfied or Satisfied
Satisfied
Very Satisfied 
Signatures
 
To the best of your knowledge the above information is correct.
Subject’s Signature:_
Date: 
/
/2 0 __
Month
Day
Year
The above information has been verified with the subject and is complete.
Coordinator’s Signature: 
_ Date:__ /__ /2 0   
Month
Day
Year
Symptom
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Duration in
Days (0.5 
increments)
Not 
Applicable
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Belly or Pelvic Pain
4. Loss of Appetite
5. Mouth Sores
6. Diarrhea
7. Blood in Stools
8. Heart Burn/Indigestion
9. Hair Loss
10. Headaches
11. Fatigue
12. Vaginal bleeding
13. Sharp Abdominal Pain
14. Dizziness or weakness
15. Shoulder or back pain
16. Persistent dry, non- 
productive cough
17. Skin rash or reaction
18. Surgical site incision pain 
Infection
19. Infection
20. Uterine Perforation
21. Uterine Infection
22. Other (Specify)


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15 Appendix D: Patient Fertility Questionnaire
Fertility Questionnaire 
Source Document
Reproductive Medicine Network
Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location - a Randomized 
Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active Treatment versus Expectant 
Management (No Treatment) The “ACT or NOT TRIAL”
Was this visit completed?
Yes
No
Menstrual Cycle Information
1.
How many days is your menstrual cycle ON AVERAGE?
__ Days
(calculated from the first day of your period to the first day of 
your next period)
2.
What is the length of your shortest typical cycle?
__ Days
3.
What is the length of your longest typical cycle?
__ Days
Conception Information
4.
Did you try to conceive during the last 6 months?
No, I did not and I do not want to become
pregnant
Yes, I tried to conceive all 6 months
Yes, I tried to conceive but not all 6 months
5.
Did you use a contraceptive over the last 6 months?
Yes
No Skip to Question #6
5a. Which type(s) of contraceptive did you use?
Contraceptive pill/patch/ring 
Intrauterine device
Condom or diaphragm 
Tubal ligation
Male vasectomy
Other: specify_ 
_ 
6.
Specify which months you tried to conceive
January
July 
February
August
March
September
April
October
May
November
June
December
7.
Date of positive pregnancy test
__/ 
/2 0  
Month    Day
Year
Pregnancy Information
……


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8.
Have you been pregnant during the last 6 months?
Yes, I became pregnant spontaneously
Yes, I became pregnant after fertility
treatment 
pregnant
No, although I tried to, I did not become
 Skip to Question #10
Not applicable; I do not want to become
pregnant
 Skip to the End
9.
First day of last menstrual period
     __/ 
/2 0  
Month   Day
Year
10.
Type of fertility treatment
Ovulation Induction with hormone PILLS 
Ovulation Induction with hormone
INJECTIONS
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) with 
In vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI)
11.
How is the pregnancy going?
I don't know yet; I did not visit a general 
practitioner, midwife, or gynecologist yet
 Skip to Question #13
The pregnancy is vital and inside the womb
 Skip to Question #13
I had a miscarriage  Skip to Question #14
I had an ectopic pregnancy
Skip to Question #15
I had an induced abortion  Skip to
Question #16
#17
I gave birth to a child  Skip to Question
12.
Estimated date of delivery
__/ __ / 2 0  
Month
Day
Year
13.
Has an ultrasound been done?
Yes
No 
13a. Date of ultrasound
__/ __ / 2 0  
Month
Day
Year
Miscarriage Information
14.
Date of miscarriage
__/ __ / 2 0  
Month
Day
Year
14a. Did you have a D&C?
Yes
No  Skip to End
14b. Date of D&C
__/ __ / 2 0  
Month
Day
Year
Ectopic Pregnancy Information
15.
In which tube was the pregnancy located?
Left 
Right 


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Unknown


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Other site: specify_ 
_
15a. How was the ectopic pregnancy treated?
Surgery
Medical treatment with Methotrexate 
No treatment, spontaneously resolved
15b. Was the tube removed?
Yes was removed
No, the tube was not removed
Induced Abortion Information
16.
Date of abortion
         / 
/20       
Month
Day
Year
Delivery Information
17. Date of birth
         / 
/20       
Month
Day
Year
17a. Gestation age at birth (# weeks)
__ weeks
17b. Did you have live birth?
Yes
No
17c. Baby’s birth weight
__ pounds __ ounces
17d. Complications
 
_
Additional Remarks
Please explain:_ 
 
_
 
_
Signatures
To the best of your knowledge the above information is correct.
Subject’s Signature:_
Date: 
/
/2 0 __
Month
Day
Year
The above information has been verified with the subject and is complete.
Coordinator’s Signature: 
_ Date:__ /__ /2 0   
Month
Day
Year


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16 Appendix E: Data and Safety Monitoring Plan
Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location - 
a Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active 
Treatment versus No Treatment
The “ACTorNOT TRIAL”
DATA AND SAFETY MONITORING BOARD (DSMB) CHARTER
1.
Purpose and Responsibilities of the DSMB
The members of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) identified in this Charter for the ACTorNOT 
study are responsible for safeguarding the interests of study participants, assessing the safety and efficacy of all 
study procedures, and shall monitor the overall conduct of the ACTorNOT trial. This Committee will serve as an 
independent advisory group to the Director of NICHD, and is required to provide recommendations about starting, 
continuing, and stopping the ACTorNOT study.
This Committee is responsible for identifying mechanisms to complete various tasks that will impact the safety 
and efficacy of all study procedures, and overall conduct. The table below identifies the key areas where oversight 
is necessary and the ways in which the Committee for the ACTorNOT study will complete those tasks.
Basic Responsibility of DSMB
Method DSMB for ACTorNOT will use to complete task
Familiarize themselves with the
study protocol
Review study protocols and informed consent forms.
Monitor adverse events
Adverse Event: Review quarterly progress reports prepared 
by the DCC on behalf of RMN.
Serious Adverse Events: Review report submitted by the 
DCC on behalf of RMN within one week of the event if 
life threatening or fatal, or within two weeks otherwise. 
The DSMB will submit a report of their review to the 
NICHD Committee Coordinator within 7 business days if 
the SAE is life threatening or fatal, or within two weeks
otherwise.
Monitor data quality
Conduct interim evaluations of the data.
Oversee participant recruitment 
and enrollment
Review interim progress reports prepared by the DCC on 
behalf of RMN.
Develop an understanding of the 
Study’s risks and benefits
Review study protocols and related literatures.
Review interim reports of subject accrual and outcome 
measures provided by the DCC.
Assess the need to perform further in-depth evaluation of 
the benefits and risks of the study after reviewing each
report.


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Ensure the proper reporting occurs
Review and approve the meeting and reporting schedule 
listed in Section 5 of this DSMB charter.
2.
Contacts
NICHD
Louis DePaolo, PhD, Program Officer
Charisee Lamar, PhD, MPH, RRT Committee Coordinator 
Esther Eisenberg, MD, MPH, Project Scientist
Data Coordination Center (DCC)
Heping Zhang, PhD, DCC Principal Investigator 
Hao Huang, MD, DCC Data Manager
The Data Manager at the DCC will prepare and review the DSMB reports prior to submission to the DSMB, 
and will not be blind to treatment condition.
Lead Investigator(s)
Kurt T. Barnhart, MD, MSCE
3.
DSMB Members, Organizational Chart, & Communications
Members
The DSMB for the ACTorNOT study is comprised of the members listed in the table below. In addition, their 
high level roles and responsibilities are identified in the table.
Name of Member
Role on DSMB
High Level Responsibilities
Frank Witter, MD
Chair of DSMB 
Voting member
Chair the DSMB discussion and prepare written 
recommendations to NICHD.
Ensure the safety of study subjects, the integrity of 
the research data.
Provide NICHD with advice on the ethical and 
safe progression of studies conducted in the RMN.
Advises on research design issues, data quality and 
analysis, and research participant protection for
each prospective and on-going study.
Rev. Phillip Cato, PhD
Voting member
PonJola Coney, MD
Voting member
Lurdes Y.T. Inoue, PhD
Voting member
Stacey A. Missmer, ScD
Voting member
Robert E. Brannigan, MD
Voting member
Ensure the safety of study subjects, the integrity of 
the research data.
Provide NICHD with advice on the ethical and 
safe progression of studies conducted in the RMN.
Advises on research design issues, data quality and 
analysis, and research participant protection for 
each prospective and on-going study.


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Only Voting members for this DSMB may attend closed sessions for this Committee. In addition, only Voting
members will have access to unblinded data points for this Committee.
Organizational Chart
The following diagram illustrates the relationship between the DSMB and other entities in the ACTorNOT 
study.
Communication
Communication for members of this DSMB will be primarily through the NICHD Program Office and, where 
applicable, the Data Coordination Center (DCC). Investigators from the ACTorNOT study will not communicate 
directly with DSMB members about the study, except when making presentations or responding to questions at 
DSMB meetings or during scheduled conference calls.
4.
Conflict of Interest and Compensation
It is extremely important that all members of the DSMB state any real or apparent conflicts of interests at the 
onset of the study. Members of the DSMB shall read the NICHD Clinical Research Guidance Document regarding 
Conflict of Interest and provide their signed summary of any COI for the study, at its onset, to the NICHD 
Committee Coordinator, Dr. Charisee Lamar. A table summarizing any COI within the DSMB is provided in the 
Appendix.
Prior to each meeting, all members of the RMN DSMB will have an opportunity to state whether they have 
developed any new conflicts of interest since the meeting. As a new COI is identified it must be documented in 
the table in the Appendix and a new signed summary of the COI should be provided to the NICHD Committee 
Coordinator. The Coordinator will forward the COI documentation to the DCC for record-keeping purposes.
If a new conflict is reported, the Coordinator and staff will determine if the conflict limits the ability of the DSMB 
member to participate in the discussion.
NICHD Director
NICHD Program    
 
Staff
DSMB
Data Coordinating
Individual Institutional 
Center
Review Boards
Study Site
Study Site
Study Site


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All DSMB members will be compensated for their role in supporting the committee. Compensation will include 
an honorarium for meeting attendance and any travel costs.
5.
Meeting Schedule
DSMB meetings will be conducted quarterly. However, the DSMB may hold a meeting at any time in accordance 
with their mission. The NICHD Committee Coordinator will notify the DCC of any change in schedule.
6.
Blinding
All summaries for DSMB reports will be presented in a blinded fashion, unless specified by the DSMB Chair.
7.
Report Schedule and Content
The type of reports (full or brief) is indicated below, followed by a description of the contents of each type.
DSMB Report
 
Report Submission Date
Type of Report
1.
tbd
Brief
2.
tbd
Brief
3.
tbd
Brief
4.
tbd
Full
5.
tbd
Brief
6.
tbd
Full
7.
tbd
Brief
8.
tbd
Full
9.
tbd
Brief
10.
tbd
Full
11.
tbd
Brief
12.
tbd
Full
13.
tbd
Brief
14.
tbd
Full
15.
tbd
Brief
16.
tbd
Full
Brief DSMB reports will include the following summaries:

overall actual versus projected enrollment accrual

overall randomization update

overall study drop-out rate

serious adverse events

primary outcome measures update
Full DSMB reports will include the following summaries:

recruitment update (number screened) overall and by site

enrollment update (enrolled defined as randomized to a treatment) overall and by site


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
accrual status including actual enrollment compared to projections overall and by site

randomization update (i.e., number assigned to each treatment arm)

study drop-out rate for enrolled patients (number, reason, time point) overall and by site)

pre-specified subset of baseline demographic data for enrolled patients

safety data, adverse events, and serious adverse events

number of case report forms expected

number/percentage of expected case report forms received – overall and by site

number of case report forms that are query clean

primary outcome measures update
8.
Efficacy Outcome Summary
An interim analysis will be scheduled for safety after one half (225) subjects complete the trial. If safety or 
efficacy is an issue, one arm will be dropped or the study stopped.
References
NIH Policy for Data and Safety Monitoring 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT98-084.html
Guidance on Reporting Adverse Events to Institutional Review Boards for NIH-supported Multi-center Clinical 
Trials
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not99-107.html.


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Appendix: Summary of COI within the DSMB
DSMB Member Name
Date Submitted 
Signed COI
Was a COI 
Identified?
Will the Member Remain part 
of the Committee?
Rev. Phillip Cato, PhD
PonJola Coney, MD
Lurdes Y.T. Inoue, PhD
Stacey A. Missmer, ScD
Robert E. Brannigan, MD
Frank Witter, MD


57
Optimal Treatment for a PPUL – A Randomized Clinical Trial
Version 6.0: November 12, 
2018,
Reproductive Medicine Network
Funded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD
Conflict of Interest Statement
Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location - 
a Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active 
Treatment versus No Treatment
The “ACTorNOT TRIAL”
I, 
, assuming the role of  
(insert role, for example: DSMB
member)
for the  
(insert project or study name)
agree to the following statements.
□I agree to:

protect the interests and safety of study participants;

uphold the integrity of the research process including data collection and analysis to be as free from bias and 
preconception as I am able;

adhere to the highest scientific and ethical standards, to comply with all relevant regulations and to eliminate 
or disclose, during my involvement with the proposed clinical research project, any real or apparent conflicts 
of interest.
In addition:
□I declare that I, my spouse or dependent children, or organization with which I am connected, do/does not have any 
financial interest in the
study, where financial interested is defined by the DHHS, as anything of 
monetary value, including but not limited to, salary or other payments for services (for example, consulting fees or 
honoraria); equity interests (for example, stocks, stock options or other ownership interests); and intellectual property 
rights (for example, patents, copyrights and royalties from such rights).
The financial interest term does not include various items which can be found in The Federal regulation, PHS, DHHS Part 
50--Policies of General Applicability; Subpart F- Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for 
Which PHS Funding Is Sought.
For Federal employees, financial interests that are allowable and require disclosure are:


58
Optimal Treatment for a PPUL – A Randomized Clinical Trial
Version 6.0: November 12, 
2018,
Financial Interest Disclosure: Financial interest that require disclosure are stock holdings in pharmaceutical firms, medical 
device manufacturers, and biotechnology companies
Allowable Financial Interests: In a company that produces a product that is being evaluated by a study, participants may 
hold up to $15,000 of stock: and up to an aggregate of $25,000 of the stock of that company and its competitors who 
produce that (or a similar) product. As an alternative to individual stock holdings, participants may hold up to an 
aggregate of $50,000 in sector mutual funds-including pharmaceutical/health care sectors.
For holdings in excess of these de minimus levels, a conflict of interest analysis needs to be conducted by NIH regarding 
the holding, the company producing the product being evaluated under the study, and its competitors, and, if a conflict 
exists, could lead to the need to withdraw from the study.
□I agree to not withhold any data related to the
study or to interfere with the analysis or 
publication of the study’s results.
□I will not engage in activities that could be viewed as real or apparent COI, including but not limited to:
□having a part-time, full-time, paid, or unpaid employee status of any organizations that are: (a) involved in the 
study under review; (b) whose products will be used or tested in the study under review, or whose products or 
services would be directly and predictably affected in a major way by the outcome of the study;
□being an officer, member, owner, trustee, director, expert advisor, or consultant of such organizations;
□being a current collaborator or associate of the principal investigator (applicable to potential members of data 
safety and monitoring boards);
□having a scientific interest beyond that required for my role, where scientific interest is defined as having 
influence over the protocol, the study design, conducting the study analysis or any reporting related to the 
investigation (applicable to potential members of data safety and monitoring boards).


59
Optimal Treatment for a PPUL – A Randomized Clinical Trial
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2018,
Reproductive Medicine Network
Funded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD
Reproductive Medicine Network (RMN) 
Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) 
Confidentiality Agreement
As a DSMB member I understand that I will be provided with and have access to documents submitted by the 
NICHD or the Data Coordination Center as they relate to RMN protocols, Registries or other Network-related 
materials, including proprietary and confidential information.
I shall not disclose any confidential RMN information (oral or written) unless required to do so by law. 
Confidential documents may be distributed to an administrative assistant, who is not permitted to share Network 
materials with anyone other than me.
I agree that I will not distribute or publish RMN records. I further agree that I shall not make use of Network 
materials except for the express purpose of advising the RMN Steering Committee and the NICHD.
I have read this agreement and agree to abide by its terms.
Name (Print or Type):  
Signature:
Date:  


60
Optimal Treatment for a PPUL – A Randomized Clinical Trial
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2018,
17 Appendix F: Investigator Signature of Agreement
Investigator Signature of Agreement
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 
Reproductive Medicine Network
Title: Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PPUL) – A 
Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active Treatment versus 
Expectant Management (No Treatment)
The “ACTorNOT TRIAL”
Version: 6.0
Principal Investigator:
I, [Insert PI’s name]
, the Principal Investigator for
[Insert Institute Name], hereby certify that I 
have read and agree to conduct this study in accordance with this protocol on behalf of all RMN Investigators and 
research staff from my site.
I will conduct the clinical study as described and will adhere to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 
and Title 25, Part 46, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), 
and the Declaration of Helsinki. I have read and understood the contents of the Protocol.
The signature of the investigator below indicates acceptance of the protocol and a complete understanding of 
the investigator commitments as outlined in Form FDA 1572, Statement of Investigator.
Principal Investigator’s Signature
Date
Printed Name
Date