Identifying novel therapeutic options for ectopic pregnancy

Summary

Ectopic pregnancies are life-threatening medical emergencies and the lead cause of first trimester maternal mortality. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus - most commonly in the fallopian tube. The growing embryo cannot survive outside the uterus. Failure to identify and treat an ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, leading to internal bleeding, requiring emergency surgery. Even when identified early, many patients still require surgery, which results in removal of the fallopian tube, impacting future fertility. These immediate and long-term reproductive consequences make ectopic pregnancy a significant health concern.  

Aim

The aim of this research project is to identify and test novel therapeutic interventions for ectopic pregnancy management. We will investigate promising compounds that could safely terminate ectopic pregnancies without requiring surgery or harsh mediations. We will use multiple laboratory models of ectopic pregnancy to test treatment effectiveness and safety profiles. Through vigorous pre-clinical testing, we aim to identify the most promising candidates for future clinical trials. 

Our goal is to provide clinicians with better treatment options and improve patient outcomes, while preserving future fertility.  

Method

The first step is to deliver proof-of-concept data for new therapies to treat fallopian tube ectopic pregnancy. The goal is to stop placental growth, while keeping the fallopian tube safe. Re-purposing FDA approved drugs offers a rapid, cost-effective path to new treatments. Many of these drugs are yet to be tested in pregnancy or fertility context. These therapies have the potential to reduce the need for surgery, minimise complications, and preserve fertility.

Work so far

We are using a novel drug screening platform to assess the effectiveness of 2000+ US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs in our laboratory models of ectopic pregnancy. We will test the ability to stop placental growth, and ectopic pregnancy, whilst preserving future fertility.

What’s next

We will confirm the effectiveness of these drugs using our novel assays in the laboratory. We will next their safety and efficacy using animal models, where human placental cells/tissues are transplanted into mice. The data generated from this project could lead to randomised clinical trials and translation to the clinic. New FDA-approved drugs to safely resolve ectopic pregnancies will be identified - addressing a critical unmet need in women’s health.

The Team

• Professor Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino
• Professor Stephen Tong
• Dr Lucy Bartho
• Vi Nguyen
• Ping Cannon
• Brooke Walker

Our Supporters

• National Health and Medical Research Council