Immunotherapy and IVF Outcomes in Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Systematic Review with Implications for Personalized Reproductive Medicine

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most challenging conditions in reproductive medicine, particularly when no identifiable cause can be determined after diagnostic evaluation. Although the role of immunological dysregulation has been hypothesized, the implementation of immunotherapies in clinical practice is controversial due to inconsistent findings and methodological heterogeneity across studies. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the main characteristics of existing research on the role of immunological interventions in relation to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcomes in women with RPL. Given the marked inter-individual variability in immunological mechanisms among affected women, evaluating these treatments may help identify future directions for personalized reproductive medicine. <b>Methods:</b> A comprehensive bibliographic search was systematically conducted from inception to October 2025 across databases, including Medline, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies were included if they evaluated the efficacy of immunological treatments in women with unexplained RPL, comparing IVF outcomes between case and control groups. <b>Results:</b> Six cohort studies were included, four retrospective and two prospective. The immunological treatments investigated were granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), intravenous intralipid (with or without prednisolone), and lymphocyte immunization therapy (LIT). Despite some promising results, particularly for G-CSF and LIT, the studies were limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous diagnostic criteria for RPL, and inconsistent treatment protocols. Furthermore, not all IVF outcomes, such as implantation and biochemical pregnancy rates, were reported. <b>Conclusions:</b> Current evidence is insufficient to support the use of immunotherapy in clinical practice for improving IVF outcomes in women with unexplained RPL. The variability in study design, patient selection, and immunotherapy regimens hinders the ability to draw firm conclusions. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with standardized definitions and outcome measures are needed to determine whether and for whom immunological treatments may offer clinical benefit.

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Journal
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Published
2025-12-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15120606
Primary Topic
Reproductive System and Pregnancy
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article
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article

Immunotherapy and IVF Outcomes in Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Systematic Review with Implications for Personalized Reproductive Medicine

Giosuè Giordano Incognito, Roberta Foti, Giuseppe Ettore, Marco D’Asta et al.
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Reproductive System and Pregnancy
article

Immunotherapy and IVF Outcomes in Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Systematic Review with Implications for Personalized Reproductive Medicine

Giosuè Giordano Incognito, Roberta Foti, Giuseppe Ettore, Marco D’Asta, Stefano Di Michele, Orazio De Tommasi, Pierluigi Chieppa, Ferdinando Antonio Gulino, Carla Ettore, Roberto Tozzi
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most challenging conditions in reproductive medicine, particularly when no identifiable cause can be determined after diagnostic evaluation. Although the role of immunological dysregulation has been hypothesized, the implementation of immunotherapies in clinical practice is controversial due to inconsistent findings and methodological heterogeneity across studies. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the main characteristics of existing research on the role of immunological interventions in relation to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcomes in women with RPL. Given the marked inter-individual variability in immunological mechanisms among affected women, evaluating these treatments may help identify future directions for personalized reproductive medicine. <b>Methods:</b> A comprehensive bibliographic search was systematically conducted from inception to October 2025 across databases, including Medline, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Studies were included if they evaluated the efficacy of immunological treatments in women with unexplained RPL, comparing IVF outcomes between case and control groups. <b>Results:</b> Six cohort studies were included, four retrospective and two prospective. The immunological treatments investigated were granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), intravenous intralipid (with or without prednisolone), and lymphocyte immunization therapy (LIT). Despite some promising results, particularly for G-CSF and LIT, the studies were limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous diagnostic criteria for RPL, and inconsistent treatment protocols. Furthermore, not all IVF outcomes, such as implantation and biochemical pregnancy rates, were reported. <b>Conclusions:</b> Current evidence is insufficient to support the use of immunotherapy in clinical practice for improving IVF outcomes in women with unexplained RPL. The variability in study design, patient selection, and immunotherapy regimens hinders the ability to draw firm conclusions. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with standardized definitions and outcome measures are needed to determine whether and for whom immunological treatments may offer clinical benefit.

Journal of Personalized MedicineVol. 15(12)
University of Messina (IT), University of Padua (IT), University of Cagliari (IT), Martin University (US), Ospedale Garibaldi (IT), Ospedale Sant'Anna (IT), Policlinico Universitario di Catania (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 55%
Reproductive System and Pregnancy
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