Positive results have been obtained from a clinical trial of a new therapy for treatment of endometriosis in pre-menopausal women.
Elagolix, a product of pharmaceutical company AbbVie and Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., was the subject of a Phase III clinical trial that assessed the drug's safety and effectiveness.
Results show that women participating in the study responded positively after six months of treatment with Elagolix, which is an oral therapy.
Some subjects received 150 milligram doses once a day; others received 200 milligram doses twice a day. Treatment with Elagolix reduced scores of menstrual pain and non-menstrual pelvic pain associated with endometriosis after three and six months.
Endometriosis is marked by the growth of cells that usually line the uterus growing outside it. This can cause lesions on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other areas adjacent to the uterus. It can cause severe pain and lead to infertility.
"Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide," Dr. Michael Severino, chief scientific officer for AbbVie, said. "Patients voice their frustration about the need for more treatment options to medically manage endometriosis and its often debilitating pain. In an effort to address this need, AbbVie conducted the largest clinical trials in endometriosis to date. We are pleased with the outcomes of the pivotal trials thus far."
Elagolix has been the subject of more than 40 clinical trials involving more than 3,000 subjects. A Phase III trial on the effect of Elagolix on uterine fibroids is currently underway.
"AbbVie will continue to pursue Elagolix as a potential new treatment for the disease's most common symptoms, including pain related to menstruation and chronic pelvic pain throughout the menstrual cycle," Severino said.
For more information about AbbVie and its portfolio of products, visit www.abbvie.com.
