The efficacy of ganirelix acetate injection was established in two adequate and well-controlled clinical studies which included women with normal endocrine and pelvic ultrasound parameters. The studies intended to exclude subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and subjects with low or no ovarian reserve. One cycle of study medication was administered to each randomized subject. For both studies, the administration of exogenous recombinant FSH [Follistim®
All trademark names are the property of their respective owners.
(follitropin beta for injection)] 150 IU daily was initiated on the morning of Day 2 or 3 of a natural menstrual cycle. Ganirelix acetate injection was administered on the morning of Day 7 or 8 (Day 6 of recombinant FSH administration). The dose of recombinant FSH administered was adjusted according to individual responses starting on the day of initiation of ganirelix acetate. Both recombinant FSH and ganirelix acetate were continued daily until at least three follicles were 17 mm or greater in diameter at which time hCG [Pregnyl
® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP)] was administered. Following hCG administration, ganirelix acetate and recombinant FSH administration were discontinued. Oocyte retrieval, followed by
in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), was subsequently performed.
In a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, dose-finding study, the safety and efficacy of ganirelix acetate injection were evaluated for the prevention of LH surges in women undergoing COH with recombinant FSH. Ganirelix acetate injection doses ranging from 62.5 mcg to 2,000 mcg and recombinant FSH were administered to 332 patients undergoing COH for IVF (see TABLE II). Median serum LH on the day of hCG administration decreased with increasing doses of ganirelix acetate. Median serum E2 (17β-estradiol) on the day of hCG administration was 1,475; 1,110; and 1,160 pg/mL for the 62.5 mcg, 125 mcg, and 250 mcg doses, respectively. Lower peak serum E2 levels of 823, 703, and 441 pg/mL were seen at higher doses of ganirelix acetate 500 mcg, 1,000 mcg, and 2,000 mcg, respectively. The highest pregnancy and implantation rates were achieved with the 250 mcg dose of ganirelix acetate injection as summarized in Table II.
TABLE II: Results from the multicenter, double-blind, randomized, dose-finding study to assess the efficacy of ganirelix acetate injection to prevent premature LH surges in women undergoing COH with recombinant FSH. | Daily Dose (mcg) of Ganirelix Acetate Injection |
|---|
| 62.5 mcg | 125 mcg | 250 mcg | 500 mcg | 1,000 mcg | 2,000 mcg |
|---|
| (Protocol 38602) |
| No. subjects receiving ganirelix acetate | 31 | 66 | 70 | 69 | 66 | 30 |
| No. subjects with ET ET: Embryo Transfer | 27 | 61 | 62 | 54 | 61 | 27 |
| No. of subjects with LH rise ≥ 10 mIU/mL Following initiation of ganirelix acetate therapy. Includes subjects who have complied with daily injections | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Serum LH (mIU/mL) on day of hCG Median values 5th to 95th percentiles | 3.6 0.6 to 19.9 | 2.5 0.6 to 11.4 | 1.7 < 0.25 to 6.4 | 1 0.4 to 4.7 | 0.6 < 0.25 to 2.2 | 0.3 < 0.25 to 0.8 |
| Serum E2 (pg/mL) on day of hCG 5th to 95th percentiles | 1,475 645 to 3,720 | 1,110 424 to 3,780 | 1,160 384 to 3,910 | 823 279 to 2,720 | 703 284 to 2,360 | 441 166 to 1,940 |
| Vital pregnancy rate As evidenced by ultrasound at 5 to 6 weeks following ET | | | | | | |
| per attempt, n (%) | 7 (22.6) | 17 (25.8) | 25 (35.7) | 8 (11.6) | 9 (13.6) | 2 (6.7) |
| per transfer, n (%) | 7 (25.9) | 17 (27.9) | 25 (40.3) | 8 (14.8) | 9 (14.8) | 2 (7.4) |
| Implantation rate (%) Mean (standard deviation) | 14.2 (26.8) | 16.3 (30.5) | 21.9 (30.6) | 9 (23.7) | 8.5 (21.7) | 4.9 (20.1) |
Transient LH rises alone were not deleterious to achieving pregnancy with ganirelix acetate at doses of 125 mcg (3/6 subjects) and 250 mcg (1/1 subjects). In addition, none of the subjects with LH rises ≥ 10 mIU/mL had premature luteinization indicated by a serum progesterone above 2 ng/mL.
A multicenter, open-label, randomized study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of ganirelix acetate injection in women undergoing COH. Follicular phase treatment with ganirelix acetate 250 mcg was studied using a luteal phase GnRH agonist as a reference treatment. A total of 463 subjects were treated with ganirelix acetate by subcutaneous injection once daily starting on Day 6 of recombinant FSH treatment. Recombinant FSH was maintained at 150 IU for the first 5 days of ovarian stimulation and was then adjusted by the investigator on the sixth day of gonadotropin use according to individual responses. The results for the ganirelix acetate arm are summarized in Table III.
TABLE III: Results from the multicenter, open-label, randomized study to assess the efficacy and safety of ganirelix acetate injection in women undergoing COH. | Ganirelix Acetate 250 mcg |
|---|
| (Protocol 38607) |
| No. subjects treated | 463 |
| Duration of GnRH analog (days) Restricted to subjects with hCG injection Mean (standard deviation) | 5.4 (2) |
| Duration of recombinant FSH (days) | 9.6 (2) |
| Serum E2 (pg/mL) on day of hCG Median values 5th to 95th percentiles | 1,190 373 to 3,105 |
| Serum LH (mIU/mL) on day of hCG 5th to 95th percentiles | 1.6 0.6 to 6.9 |
| No. of subjects with LH rise ≥ 10 mIU/mL Following initiation of ganirelix acetate therapy | 13 |
| No. of follicles > 11 mm | 10.7 (5.3) |
| No. of subjects with oocyte retrieval | 440 |
| No. of oocytes | 8.7 (5.6) |
| Fertilization rate | 62.1% |
| No. subjects with ET ET: Embryo Transfer | 399 |
| No. of embryos transferred | 2.2 (0.6) |
| No. of embryos | 6 (4.5) |
| Ongoing pregnancy rate As evidenced by ultrasound at 12 to 16 weeks following ET | |
| per attempt, n (%) Includes one patient who achieved pregnancy with intrauterine induction | 94 (20.3) |
| per transfer, n (%) | 93 (23.3) |
| Implantation rate (%) | 15.7 (29) |
Some centers were limited to the transfer of ≤ 2 embryos based on local practice standards The mean number of days of ganirelix acetate treatment was 5.4 (2 to 14).