Drug trial to tackle repeat miscarriages
Women who have suffered recurrent miscarriages are being invited to trial a drug that could help maintain their pregnancy.
Researchers are seeking women who have experienced three or more unexplained miscarriages to take part in the study.
The new medication - called NT100 - mimics a naturally occurring protein called G-CSF. It is thought to work by promoting the growth of embryonic tissue and the early placenta.
Women who experience recurrent miscarriages with no explanation can understandably feel desperate.
Unexplained loss
Women taking part in the trial will be asked to inject themselves every day for two months following a positive pregnancy test result.
Half of the women will be given the active drug and half will be given a placebo.
Neither the patients nor the doctors will know who has received which treatment until after the study.
Participants will also receive extra scans and blood tests throughout their pregnancy.
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh - supported by the University - is the only centre in Scotland to be involved in the UK-wide trial, which involves 21 hospitals.
Sister Lisa Starrs, manager for the Pregnancy Support Centre at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said: “This trial aims to ease the heartache of repeat miscarriages by testing a drug that could help in the very early weeks of pregnancy.”
We know that this drug is safe for use in pregnancy, and has shown encouraging effects in IVF patients. Our hope is that it can have a similarly positive impact on women who have lost numerous pregnancies by promoting the growth of the baby and placenta in those first precious months of the pregnancy.
Recruiting now
Researchers are aiming to recruit women in Edinburgh for the study.
To fulfil the trial criteria, they must have an EH postcode and have had three or more miscarriages. They must also be aged 18 - 37, have a BMI of 19 - 35 and be intending to try for a pregnancy in the very near future.
Women keen to take part should contact the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh on 0131 242 7904 or go to www.responseresearchstudy.co.uk.