A Phase I Clinical Trial to Assess Safety and Tolerability of Injectable Collagenase in Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids
Abstract
Uterine fibroids feature excessive deposition of types I and III collagen. Previous ex vivo studies showed an FDA-approved collagenase (EN3835)-digested types I and III collagen fibers in fibroid tissues; however, collagenase had not been evaluated in vivo for effects on uterine fibroids. The objective was to assess the safety and tolerability of collagenase injection directly into uterine fibroids. This was a prospective, open label, dose escalation study. The study participants were fifteen women aged 35-50 years with symptomatic uterine fibroids planning to undergo hysterectomy. Three subjects received saline and methylene blue, three subjects received a fixed dose of EN3835, and 9 subjects received stepped, increasing dosages of EN3835, all by transvaginal, ultrasound-guided injections. Primary outcome measures were safety and tolerability of the injection and change in collagen content between treated and control tissues. There were no significant adverse events following injection of EN3835 into uterine fibroids. Masson's trichrome stains revealed a 39% reduction in collagen content in treated samples compared to controls (p <0.05). Second harmonic generation (SHG) analysis showed treated samples to have a 21% reduction in density of collagen compared to controls. Picrosirius-stained collagenase-treated fibroids showed collagen fibers to be shorter and less dense compared to controls. Subjects reported a decrease in fibroid-related pain on the McGill Pain Questionnaire…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 9 participants or records.
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