Immune modulation treatments-where is the evidence?

Fertility and Sterility
Malene Meisner Hviid, Nick S Macklon

Abstract

While advances in assisted reproductive techniques have been substantial, failure of the apparently viable embryo to implant remains a source of distress and frustration to patients and specialists alike. The unique maternal immunological response to the embryo and the notion that defects in early placentation underlie the great complications of pregnancy have focused attention on the therapeutic potential of peri-implantation immunomodulation. On the face of it, the rationale for this approach is very attractive. However, as will be argued in this review, the clinical evidence base supporting the use of immunosuppressive treatments is weak and difficult to apply in practice and fails the needs of both doctors and their patients. This evidence gap is filled by justifications that are based largely on meeting patient expectations and commercial imperatives. However, this does not mean that immunomodulation treatments should be written off as ineffective. The literature in this field, while suffering the same challenges of heterogeneity, small studies, and publication bias as other areas of medicine, does hint at the way forward. Recurrent implantation failure and pregnancy loss are not diagnoses but clinical presentations that r...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 21, 2020·American Journal of Reproductive Immunology : AJRI·Gavin Sacks, Emma Finkelstein
Sep 9, 2018·Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics·Kevin MarronConor Harrity
Jun 26, 2020·Frontiers in Immunology·Nathalie LédéeGerard Chaouat
Oct 17, 2019·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Signe Altmäe, Lusine Aghajanova
Sep 27, 2020·Reproductive Biomedicine Online·Malene Hviid SaxtorphNick Macklon
Aug 4, 2020·Journal of Translational Autoimmunity·Torie C PlowdenSunni L Mumford

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Carolien M Boomsma, Nick S Macklon
Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jennifer Ka Yee Ko, Ernest Hung Yu Ng
International Surgery
Cristiano E BussoCarlos Simon
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Jeffrey Stokes, Thomas B Casale
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Demián GlujovskyAriel Bardach
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved