CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00409825Updated Feb 27, 2015Results posted

Study of Pharmacology of 17-OHPC in Pregnancy

A Phase 2 interventional study of 17-OHPC and Blood Draws in Pregnancy, sponsored by University of Pittsburgh. Completed at 4 sites in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2015-02-27.

Sponsored by University of Pittsburgh · Phase 2, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
61
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
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Study summary

We are examining the pharmacology of 17-OHPC in pregnancy, specifically between the second and third trimesters.

Read the detailed description

The recently completed trial by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)-sponsored Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network has demonstrated that intramuscular 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) substantially reduces the rate of preterm birth in women at high risk for preterm delivery because of a prior spontaneous preterm birth. No other strategy or treatment for prevention of preterm birth has proven to be effective. Consequently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has cautiously supported this treatment but points out that much more information about this therapy and alternative therapies is required. Although a large body of evidence exists about the safety of this treatment, almost nothing is known about the pharmacology of this agent, especially in pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to define the pharmacology of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in pregnancy. This protocol will focus on pharmacokinetics and placental transport and provide preliminary data on the pharmacoepidemiology of 17-OHPC. The primary research question of this study is: Do the pharmacokinetics of 17-OHPC as represented by area under the concentration vs. time curve after IM injection of 250 mg 17-OHPC differ between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy? We will obtain blood samples prior to and daily for one week after injection of 17-OHPC (8 samples total) for each of two parts of the study, with an optional third part for eligible subjects. Additionally, blood samples will be collected prior to each weekly injection of the study drug and at time of delivery. Approximately 60 subjects (ages 18-45) will be accrued at one of the Obstetrical Fetal Pharmacology Research Units (OPRU) Network sites, with 15 at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Study treatment will be administered until delivery. The total duration of this multi-center study is 2-3 years.

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Conditions studied

  • Pregnancy
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In context

Lead sponsor

University of Pittsburgh is the lead sponsor of 1,385 studies on the registry; 167 are open to participants now.

Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 4 (50%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Singleton gestation prior to 20 0/7 weeks gestation
  • Planning to receive or receiving 17-OHPC (250 mg IM weekly)
  • Previous history of preterm birth
  • Able to give consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Fetal demise, anomaly, or growth restriction
  • Hepatic or renal dysfunction
  • Placental previa or abruptio placenta
  • Polyhydramnios/oligohydramnios
  • Short cervix or planned cerclage
  • Chronic use of steroids, antiepileptics, antihypertensives, SSRS, street drugs
  • Participation in another interventional study that influences gestational age at delivery
  • Heparin treatment of known platelet count \<100,000/mm3 (because of contraindication to intra-muscular injections)
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Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
61 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Part 1

    Part 1 done after 4 weekly 17-OHPC injections completed, between 20 6/7 to 24 6/7 weeks gestation. 10 cc blood drawn pre-5th injection. 10 cc blood drawn 12 hours post-dose and 7 consecutive days. 24-hour urine collected days 4-5 within 7 days post-injection. Part 2 done 31 0/7 to 34 6/7 or at 35 0/7 weeks. 10 cc blood drawn pre weekly injection, 12 hours post-dose, and 7 consecutive days. 24-hour urine collected between days 4-5 within 7 days post-injection. A subject in whom Part 2 is performed during the last scheduled injection of 17-OHPC (at or around 35 0/7 weeks) will have the option to participate in Part 3, in which 10 cc of blood will be drawn serially over 21 days after completing Part 2. Blood will be drawn on days 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 24, 28 after the last injection. Part 4: At the time of labor and delivery, subject will have 10cc of blood removed from a maternal peripheral vein. 10cc of blood will be collected from the placenta/umbilical cord after delivery.

    Drug: 17-OHPC · Procedure: Blood Draws

Interventions

  • Drug17-OHPC

    Intra-muscular injection of 250 mg 17-OHPC administered weekly between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, until time of delivery.

    Also known as: 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate

  • ProcedureBlood Draws

    10 cc of blood will be drawn prior to the fifth weekly administration of 17-OHPC during second trimester of pregnancy, and then once daily for seven consecutive days post-dose. 10 cc of blood also will be drawn prior to weekly administration of 17-OHPC from sixth weekly dose in the second trimester until the last scheduled dose in the third trimester. Prior to this last scheduled dose, 10 cc of blood will be drawn, as well as once daily for seven consecutive days post-dose.

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in the Area Under the Concentration vs. Time Curve in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy.

    Change in the area under the concentration vs. time curve in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. We compared AUC at each PK study visit. Measurements were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days.

    Time frame: Second and third trimesters of pregnancy

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Results

Posted Feb 9, 2015

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneAUC1 vs AUC2
Started61
Completed61
Not completed0

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange in the Area Under the Concentration vs. Time Curve in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy.

Change in the area under the concentration vs. time curve in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. We compared AUC at each PK study visit. Measurements were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days.

Time frame:
Second and third trimesters of pregnancy
Reported as:
Mean · ng/ML/day
Change in the Area Under the Concentration vs. Time Curve in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy.
ng/ML/dayPart 1
AUC -1115 ± 44
AUC - 2136 ± 52

Adverse events

Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Part 1—0/61 (0%)0/61 (0%)

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)AUC1 vs AUC2
Mean28.01 ± 5.9
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)AUC1 vs AUC2
Female61
Male0
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)(Participants)AUC1 vs AUC2
Hispanic or Latino16
Not Hispanic or Latino44
Unknown or Not Reported1
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)AUC1 vs AUC2
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander1
Black or African American18
White40
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported1
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)AUC1 vs AUC2
United States61
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Study locations

4 sites
  • Georgetown University
    Washington, District of Columbia 20010, United States
  • Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
  • University of Texas
    Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
  • University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

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  • ACOG News Release: Progesterone recommended in certain high risk pregnancies to help prevent preterm birth. October 31, 2003
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  • KESSLER WB, BORMAN A. Some biological activities of certain progestogens. I. 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone 17-n-caproate. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1958 Jul 30;71(5):486-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1958.tb46779.x. No abstract available. PubMed 13583805 ↗
  • JOHNSTONE EE, FRANKLIN RR. ASSAY OF PROGESTINS FOR FETAL VIRILIZING PROPERTIES USING THE MOUSE. Obstet Gynecol. 1964 Mar;23:359-62. No abstract available. PubMed 14128463 ↗
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  • Courtney KD, Valerio DA. Teratology in the Macaca mulatta. Teratology. 1968 May;1(2):163-72. doi: 10.1002/tera.1420010205. No abstract available. PubMed 4321743 ↗
  • Carbone JP, Brent RL. Genital and nongenital teratogenesis of prenatal progestogen therapy: the effects of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate on embryonic and fetal development and endochondral ossification in the C57B1/6J mouse. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 Nov;169(5):1292-8. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(93)90296-u. PubMed 8238197 ↗
  • Seegmiller RE, Nelson GW, Johnson CK. Evaluation of the teratogenic potential of delalutin (17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate) in mice. Teratology. 1983 Oct;28(2):201-8. doi: 10.1002/tera.1420280208. PubMed 6648824 ↗
  • Varma TR, Morsman J. Evaluation of the use of Proluton-Depot (hydroxyprogesterone hexanoate) in early pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1982 Feb;20(1):13-7. doi: 10.1016/0020-7292(82)90039-x. PubMed 6126401 ↗
  • Michaelis J, Michaelis H, Gluck E, Koller S. Prospective study of suspected associations between certain drugs administered during early pregnancy and congenital malformations. Teratology. 1983 Feb;27(1):57-64. doi: 10.1002/tera.1420270109. PubMed 6845218 ↗
  • Resseguie LJ, Hick JF, Bruen JA, Noller KL, O'Fallon WM, Kurland LT. Congenital malformations among offspring exposed in utero to progestins, Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1936-1974. Fertil Steril. 1985 Apr;43(4):514-9. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)48490-6. PubMed 3987922 ↗
  • Check JH, Rankin A, Teichman M. The risk of fetal anomalies as a result of progesterone therapy during pregnancy. Fertil Steril. 1986 Apr;45(4):575-7. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49292-7. PubMed 3956772 ↗
  • Katz Z, Lancet M, Skornik J, Chemke J, Mogilner BM, Klinberg M. Teratogenicity of progestogens given during the first trimester of pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1985 Jun;65(6):775-80. PubMed 3158848 ↗
  • Kester PA. Effects of prenatally administered 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate on adolescent males. Arch Sex Behav. 1984 Oct;13(5):441-55. doi: 10.1007/BF01541429. PubMed 6517685 ↗
  • Schardein JL. Congenital abnormalities and hormones during pregnancy: a clinical review. Teratology. 1980 Dec;22(3):251-70. doi: 10.1002/tera.1420220302. PubMed 7015547 ↗
  • Raman-Wilms L, Tseng AL, Wighardt S, Einarson TR, Koren G. Fetal genital effects of first-trimester sex hormone exposure: a meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Jan;85(1):141-9. doi: 10.1016/0029-7844(94)00341-a. PubMed 7800312 ↗
  • Reprotox Database. Hydroxyprogesterone 17-. Reprotox. org. March 1, 2003.
  • Florey K: Hydroxyprogesterone caproate. IN: Analytical profiles of drug substances. Vol 4. 208-224 Editors: Academic Press, NY, NY, 1975.
  • REIFENSTEIN EC Jr. Introduction of marked as well as prolonged biologic activity by esterification; 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, a unique progestational compound. Fertil Steril. 1957 Jan-Feb;8(1):50-79. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)32585-7. No abstract available. PubMed 13405048 ↗
  • Karalis K, Goodwin G, Majzoub JA. Cortisol blockade of progesterone: a possible molecular mechanism involved in the initiation of human labor. Nat Med. 1996 May;2(5):556-60. doi: 10.1038/nm0596-556. PubMed 8616715 ↗
  • Hvilsom GB, Thorsen P, Jeune B, Bakketeig LS. C-reactive protein: a serological marker for preterm delivery? Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2002 May;81(5):424-9. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2002.810509.x. PubMed 12027816 ↗
  • Mackler AM, Iezza G, Akin MR, McMillan P, Yellon SM. Macrophage trafficking in the uterus and cervix precedes parturition in the mouse. Biol Reprod. 1999 Oct;61(4):879-83. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod61.4.879. PubMed 10491619 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 27, 2015, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00409825
Lead sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Collaborators
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Dec 11, 2006
Start date
Mar 2006
Primary completion
Apr 2008
Completion
Feb 2014
Results posted
Feb 9, 2015
Last update
Feb 27, 2015

Study contacts

Steve N. Caritis, MD
principal investigator · University of Pittsburgh

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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