Efficacy and safety of ASP1707 for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: the phase II randomized controlled TERRA study

STUDY QUESTION: Does the GnRH antagonist, ASP1707, reduce endometriosis-associated pelvic pain? SUMMARY ANSWER: ASP1707 significantly reduced endometriosis-associated pelvic pain in a dose-related manner WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: GnRH agonists are an effective therapeutic option for endometriosis that is refractory to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, and progestins. However, GnRH agonists cause complete suppression of estradiol (E2), resulting in hypoestrogenic side-effects such as bone loss that may increase the future risk of osteoporotic fractures. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This was a Phase II, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study conducted in 540 women from 04 December 2012 to 30 July 2015 in Europe and Japan. A sample size of 504 (84 subjects per group) was calculated to provide ≥80% power to detect a dose-related treatment effect among placebo and ASP1707 doses in change from baseline in pelvic pain, assuming different dose–response curves after 12 weeks of treatment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Of 912 women with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain screened, 540 were enrolled, and 532 received ≥1 dose of study drug (placebo, n = 88; ASP1707 3 mg, n = 86; ASP1707 5 mg, n = 91; ASP1707 10 mg, n = 90; ASP1707 15 mg, n = 88; leuprorelin, n = 89) for 24 weeks. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: After 12 weeks of treatment with ASP1707, the mean (95% CI) changes in numeric rating score (NRS) for overall pelvic pain (OPP) were −1.56 (−1.91, −1.21), −1.63 (−1.99, −1.27), −1.93 (−2.27, −1.60), −2.29 (−2.64, −1.94), and −2.13 (−2.47, −1.79) for placebo, ASP1707 3 mg, ASP1707 5 mg, ASP1707 10 mg, and ASP1707 15 mg, respectively. Mean (95% CI) changes in NRS for dysmenorrhea were −1.50 (−2.00, −1.00), −2.72 (−3.22, −2.21), −2.85 (−3.33, −2.38), −3.97 (−4.46, −3.48), and −4.18 (−4.66, −3.70), respectively. Mean (95% CI) changes in NRS for non-menstrual pelvic pain (NMPP) were −1.53 (−1.88, −1.19), −1.51 (−1.87, −1.16), −1.80 (−2.14, −1.47), −2.03 (−2.37, −1.68), and −1.86 (−2.20, −1.52), respectively. Statistically significant dose-related treatment effects in reduction in NRS for OPP (P = 0.001), dysmenorrhea (P < 0.001), and NMPP (P = 0.029) were observed after 12 weeks among ASP1707 doses and were maintained through 24 weeks. Serum estradiol and bone mineral density decreased dose dependently with ASP1707 through 24 weeks, however, to a lesser extent than with leuprorelin. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION: This study was not powered for pairwise comparison of each ASP1707 group versus placebo. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: All doses of ASP1707 reduced serum E2 levels to within the target range and to a lesser extent than leuprorelin. ASP1707 is a potential alternative treatment to leuprorelin for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain with lower impact on bone health. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by Astellas Pharma Inc. T.D’.H is Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs Fertility at Merck, Darmstadt, Germany since October 1, 2015. At the time that the TERRA study was conducted, he served as Principal Investigator in his role as Coordinator of the Leuven University Fertility Center. Since October 2015, T.D’.H has left Leuven University Hospital Gasthuisberg, but continues to serve as Professor in Reproductive Medicine and Biology at KU Leuven (University of Leuven) Belgium and at the Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction at Yale University, New Haven, USA. T. Fukaya and Y. Osuga report personal consulting fees from Astellas Pharma Inc. during the conduct of the study and outside the submitted work. G.M. Holtkamp, and L. Skillern are employed by Astellas Pharma Europe B.V.; K. Miyazaki is employed by Astellas Pharma Inc.; B. López, was a biostatistician for Astellas Pharma Europe B.V. during conduct of the study; R. Besuyen was a contract Associate Director of Medical Science for Astellas during conduct of the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01767090. EudraCT number 2012-002791-14. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: 18 December 2012. DATE OF FIRST SUBJECT’S ENROLLMENT: One subject signed informed consent on 04 December 2012; the first subject was randomized on 16 April 2013.