Breaking news: New study offers fertility hope to those with Asherman’s syndrome and endometrial atrophy

Published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction

BREAKING NEWS: NEW STUDY OFFERS FERTILITY HOPE TO THOSE WITH ASHERMAN’S SYNDROME AND ENDOMETRIAL ATROPHY

• Results from a new scientific study, led by world leading fertility clinic IVI, reveal that using bone marrow derived stem cells can help those with fertility-limiting conditions such as Asherman’s Syndrome and Endometrial Atrophy to conceive.
• Two babies have been born successfully and there are two further ongoing pregnancies

Led by internationally leading fertility specialists Professor Carlos Simon and Dr Xavier Santamaria from Fundación IVI, the study has demonstrated for the first time that Autologous Stem Cell Therapy using autologous peripheral blood (CD133+) from bone marrow derived stem cells (BMDSC) can significantly improve menstruation disorders and infertility caused by Asherman’s syndrome (AS) and Endometrial Atrophy (EA).

Autologous Stem Cell Therapy involves stem cells being collected from the blood of the same woman that will immediately be treated by injecting them in the small arteries of her uterus.

Asherman’s Syndrome is a uterine condition whereby sufferers have adhesions and scarring inside the uterus often causing problems with recurring miscarriages and infertility. Asherman’s syndrome is thought to be present in 5 per cent of the female population worldwide, and is often under diagnosed or misdiagnosed1. When severe, this condition has a very poor prognosis and it affects 1.55% of women who are undergoing a hysteroscopy.

Endometrial Atrophy is also identified as a uterine condition in which the lining of the endometrium is prevented from growing thicker than 5mm – causing serious problems when trying to conceive. Many treatments have previously been attempted for these conditions, but none have been proven effective. It is thought it may affect 0.6-0.8% of women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Techniques.

In order to carry out the study, women aged 30-45 who were suffering from either Asherman’s Syndrome or Endometrial Atrophy were recruited to take part. Before the study began, each patient underwent a number of tests to measure the thickness of their endometrium and to record their intrauterine adhesion score. These tests were then carried out again three months following the stem cell therapy (Autologous Cell Therapy), and then again at six months.

The results of the study demonstrated that almost all of the AS and EA patients tested, exhibited an improved uterine cavity within two months of receiving the stem cell therapy. In addition to this, their endometrial thickness increased from an average of 4.3mm to an average of 6.7mm. Following the study, two babies have been born successfully

Overall, this is a Phase I study demonstrating the safety of this Autologous Stem Cell Therapy opening the possibility for the Phase II of this promising option for those suffering from incurable conditions such as AS and EA who wish to conceive naturally.

Speaking about the findings of the study Professor Simon comments: “Asherman’s Syndrome is characterised by the presence of intrauterine adhesions, and Endometrial Atrophy prevents the endometrium from growing thicker than 5mm, both resulting in menstruation disorders and infertility. Many therapies have been tried and tested to improve these conditions in the past, but none proved effective.

Considering that Asherman’s Syndrome and Endometrial Atrophy are at present incurable conditions, the results from this study are significant.”