Ulipristal acetate decreases transforming growth factor β3 serum and tumor tissue concentrations in patients with uterine fibroids

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) serum concentration in patients with uterine fibroids (UFs) without hormone treatment, treated with ulipristal acetate (UPA), and controls; to evaluate TGF-β3 concentrations in UF tissue in patients without hormone treatment and those treated with UPA; and to evaluate the correlations of age and body mass index (BMI) with TGF-β3 serum and UF tissue levels between the groups.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Patient(s): A total of 141 patients divided into three groups: UFs non-UPA, UFs, and UPA, controls.

Intervention(s): Medical history and examination, genital ultrasound scan, blood and tissue sampling, and measurement of TGF-β3 serum and tissue concentrations.

Main outcome measure(s): Evaluation of the impact of UPA (3 months treatment), age and BMI on TGF-β3 serum and UF tissue levels.

Result(s): The values of TGF-β3 serum and tissue concentrations statistically significantly differed between the non-UPA and UPA groups. The mean TGF-β3 serum concentrations were non-UPA group 32.24 ± 34.55 pg/mL, UPA group 10.88 ± 7.15 pg/mL, and controls 11.97 ± 10.30 pg/mL. The mean TGF-β3 tissue concentrations were non-UPA group 171.29 ± 91.81 pg/mg and UPA group 99.99 ± 60.63 pg/mg. Statistically significantly lower mean TGF-β3 serum and tissue concentrations were observed in patients treated with UPA. No statistically significant correlations between TGF-β3 concentrations and age or BMI were found.

Conclusion(s): Reduction of serum and tissue TGF-β3 concentrations in UFs may be an important component of the effect of UPA on UF biology. Further research in this area is necessary.

Keywords: Leiomyoma; selective progesterone receptor modulator; transforming growth factor beta 3; ulipristal acetate; uterine fibroid.