CompletedPhase 3

Letrozole in Stimulated IVF Cycles

China900 participantsStarted 2018-03-01

Plain-language summary

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is the treatment of choice for couples with prolonged infertility. The treatment usually involves hormonal stimulation of the ovaries by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), followed by surgical removal of eggs which are then mixed with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos. The success rates of IVF treatment remain unsatisfactory and are no longer increasing. One of the reasons is an adverse effect of high serum estradiol levels following FSH stimulation on the lining of the uterus. Letrozole is a drug used in the prevention of recurrence of breast cancer because of its action to reduce the intra-ovarian aromatization of androgens to estrogens. It is now increasingly used for ovulation induction and is as safe as clomiphene citrate. Use of letrozole during standard ovarian stimulation for IVF producing adequate numbers of oocytes with physiological levels of estradiol may increase the present success rate of standard IVF treatment. The aim of this randomized study is to compare the live birth rate of FSH alone versus combined FSH and letrozole used for ovarian stimulation in IVF treatment.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 42 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * women under 42 years of age * medical indication for IVF treatment * antral follicle count prior to ovarian stimulation \>=3 * informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * women using donor oocytes * women undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis * women with abnormal uterine cavity shown on hysterosalpingogram or saline infusion sonogram * women with hydrosalpinges shown on scanning and not corrected * previous documented poor response (\<=3 oocytes) to ovarian stimulation using at least FSH 225 IU daily

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Live birth rate

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02912988

SponsorThe University of Hong Kong

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2022-04-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Subfertility trials