Intrauterine Administration of PBMC Modulated with IFN-τ Before Embryo Transfer Improves Clinical Outcomes of IVF Patients—A Randomized Control Trial
<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) activated with interferon tau (IFN-τ) before embryo transfer improves implantation and pregnancy outcomes in IVF patients. <b>Methods:</b> This single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at Nadezhda Women's Health Hospital (Approval No.: 6/28022023). The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05775198). Randomization was computer-generated with allocation concealed via sealed envelopes. Participants and statisticians were blinded to group assignment; clinicians were not. Women aged 21-50 undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer with euploid embryos were included. Exclusion criteria included uterine anomalies, autoimmune, oncologic conditions, infections, or use of immunosuppressants. Participants (<i>n</i> = 340) were randomized 1:1 to receive either intrauterine infusion of autologous PBMCs activated in vitro with IFN-τ or standard IVF care without PBMC treatment. PBMCs were cultured with recombinant IFN-τ, washed, and infused 24 h prior to single euploid blastocyst transfer. A total of 14 patients were excluded from analysis because of early dropout, leaving 326 (<i>n</i> = 167; <i>n</i> = 159) patients for modified intention-to-treat analysis. Primary outcomes included implantation rate (elevated urinary or blood hCG), clinical pregnancy (fetal heartbeat at 6-8 weeks), and live birth rates. Miscarriage rate and safety were secondary objectives. Patients were followed up until 6 weeks post pregnancy resolution. <b>Results:</b> In the intervention group, 38.3% of patients achieved implantation, compared to 27.7% in the controls (OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0-2.6, <i>p</i> = 0.04). Live birth rates were also significantly higher in the IFN-τ-modulated PBMC group (28.7% vs. 17.6%, OR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.2; <i>p</i> = 0.02). While the clinical pregnancy rate was higher, it did not reach statistical significance (34.7% vs. 25.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.08). There was no difference between the groups in terms of miscarriage (<i>p</i> = 0.4). No serious adverse events were reported after treatment, during pregnancy or in the postnatal period. <b>Conclusions:</b> Intrauterine treatment with IFN-τ-activated PBMCs before ET significantly improves implantation and live birth rates in IVF patients.
Authors
- Stefka Nikolova
- Dimitar Metodiev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8056-3580)
- Georgi Stamenov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4583-2711)
- Savina Petrova Hadjidekova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4510-8512)
- Rumiana Ganeva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1597-2414)
- Teodora Tihomirova
- Dimitar Angelov Parvanov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4992-002X)
- Jinahn Safir
- Maria Handzhiyska
- Margarita Ruseva
Institutions
- Medical University of Sofia (BG)
- National Heart Hospital (BG)
- Department of Embryology (US)
- Women's Health Research Institute (CA)
- B.C. Women's Hospital & Health Centre (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biomedicines
- Published
- 2025-12-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14010061
- Primary Topic
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- European Commission