Reversible Suppression of Menstruation with Antiprogestins
Abstract
The goal of our research is to develop a technique for reversible menstrual suppression through use of antiprogestins. In the current year (Year 2) we have shown that the Schering antiprogestin ZK 137 316 can be administered continuously for 100 days to suppress overt menses in rhesus monkeys, and that the effects are fully reversible once treatment stops. We further conducted dose-finding trials with a new, more potent Schering antiprogestin, ZK 230 211, and defined a range of doses for future menses-suppression trials. ZK 230 211 has the virtue of being orally effective and will be the compound brought to the clinic by Schering. We also showed that vaginal administration of ZK 230 211 could be an effective mode of delivery due to the uterine first pass effect, and we began trials to fit intrauterine devices (IUDs) into rhesus monkeys for delivery of antiprogestins by IUD. Local delivery of antiprogestins by either vaginal administration or IUD would confine antiprogestin action to the uterus, minimize all systemic effects and provide useful alternative approaches to antiprogestin therapy. Finally, studies done in young rhesus females suggested that myometrial contracture plays a role in the inhibitory effects of antiprogestins on estrogen-driven endometrial proliferation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADB244769
Entities
People
- Robert M. Brenner