Telehealth Medication Abortion in Primary Care: A Comparison to Usual in-Clinic Care.

INTRODUCTION: Providing abortion in primary care expands access and alleviates delays. The 2020 COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) led to the expansion of telehealth, including medication abortion (MAB). This study evaluates the accessibility of novel telehealth MAB (teleMAB) initiated during the PHE, with the lifting of mifepristone restrictions, compared with traditional in-clinic MAB offered before the PHE at a Massachusetts safety-net primary care organization. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective electronic medical record review of 267 MABs. We describe sociodemographic, care access, and complete abortion characteristics and compare differences between teleMAB and in-clinic MABs using Chi-squared test, fisher's exact test, independent t test, and Wilcoxon rank sum. We conducted logistic regression to examine differences in time to care (6 days or less vs 7 days or more). RESULTS: 184 MABs were eligible for analysis (137 in-clinic, 47 teleMAB). Patients were not significantly more likely to receive teleMAB versus in-clinic MAB based on race, ethnicity, language, or payment. Completed abortion did not significantly differ between groups (P = .187). Patients received care more quickly when accessing teleMAB compared with usual in-clinic MAB (median 3 days, range 0 to 20 vs median 6 days, range 0 to 32; P < . 001). TeleMAB patients had 2.29 times the odds of having their abortion appointment within 6 days compared with in-clinic (95% CI: 1.13, 4.86). CONCLUSION: TeleMAB in primary care is as effective, timelier, and potentially more accessible than in-clinic MAB when in-person mifepristone regulations were enforced. TeleMAB is feasible and can promote patient-centered and timely access to abortion care.

How Effective Is Misoprostol Alone for Medication Abortion?

AbstractWith recent severe restrictions to abortion accessibility in the United States and a pending Supreme Court case challenging the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone, evidence-based strategies to protect and expand access to abortion care are needed. Two safe and effective regimens for medication abortion are widely used globally - misoprostol-only and misoprostol in combination with mifepristone. However, misoprostol-only regimens are rarely used in the United States. In 2023, the National Abortion Federation and the Society of Family Planning updated their recommended protocol for misoprostol-only for medication abortion to 800 µg of misoprostol administered buccally, sublingually, or vaginally every 3 hours for three or more doses. To characterize the data supporting this specific regimen, this article reviews the relevant literature to address the question of how effective misoprostol-only is for medication abortion. The authors conclude that the updated misoprostol regimen is highly effective and a potential strategy for expanding access to abortion.

MIFEPRISTON IN OBSTETRICS - WHY NOT?

Cervical ripening is a critical component of normal parturition. There are substantial variations in labour induction (IOL) techniques around the world. Mifepristone causes the termination of unwanted pregnancies, but there is a lack of consensus on its use for labour induction. The purpose of our study was to compare the combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol with the combination of a Foley balloon and Misoprostol for labour induction. The study included 175 pregnant women, with gestational age 37-42 weeks. In the study group - 88 pregnant aged 21-35 (28.56±3.23), a combination of Mifepristone-Misoprostol was used. A combination of Foley catheter and Misoprostol was used in the control group - 87 pregnant aged 21-35 (29.48±3.03). The outcomes were assessed. In the study group the rate of vaginal delivery was higher and the frequency of cesarean section was lower compared to the control group (75 vs. 72, and 13 vs. 15, respectively); The total duration of labour was shorter in the study group (p<0,05); There was no difference between groups in the incidences of neonatal morbidity on the first and the fifth minute of life (p>0,05); The pain level was significantly low in the study group compared to the control group (5±0,75 vs. 8±0,96) and no cervical laceration was revealed in the study group. The Mifepristone - Misoprostol combination has advantages over the Foley balloon - Misoprostol combination for induction of labour regarding reduction in pain intensity, duration of labour, and cervical laceration.

Antiprogestins for breast cancer treatment: We are almost ready.

The development of antiprogestins was initially a gynecological purpose. However, since mifepristone was developed, its application for breast cancer treatment was immediately proposed. Later, new compounds with lower antiglucocorticoid and antiandrogenic effects were developed to be applied to different pathologies, including breast cancer. We describe herein the studies performed in the breast cancer field with special focus on those reported in recent years, ranging from preclinical biological models to those carried out in patients. We highlight the potential use of antiprogestins in breast cancer prevention in women with BRCA1 mutations, and their use for breast cancer treatment, emphasizing the need to elucidate which patients will respond. In this sense, the PR isoform ratio has emerged as a possible tool to predict antiprogestin responsiveness. The effects of combined treatments of antiprogestins together with other drugs currently used in the clinic, such as tamoxifen, CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors or pembrolizumab in preclinical models is discussed since it is in this scenario that antiprogestins will be probably introduced. Finally, we explain how transcriptomic or proteomic studies, that were carried out in different luminal breast cancer models and in breast cancer samples that responded or were predicted to respond to the antiprogestin therapy, show a decrease in proliferative pathways. Deregulated pathways intrinsic of each model are discussed, as well as how these analyses may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved.

Provision of Medications for Self-Managed Abortion Before and After the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization Decision.

Importance: The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the right to choose abortion in the US, with at least 16 states subsequently implementing abortion bans or 6-week gestational limits. Prior research indicates that in the 6 months following Dobbs, approximately 32 360 fewer abortions were provided within the US formal health care setting. However, trends in the provision of medications for self-managed abortion outside the formal health care setting have not been studied. Objective: To determine whether the provision of medications for self-managed abortion outside the formal health care setting increased in the 6 months after Dobbs. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional study using data from sources that provided abortion medications outside the formal health care setting to people in the US between March 1 and December 31, 2022, including online telemedicine organizations, community networks, and online vendors. Using a hierarchical bayesian model, we imputed missing values from sources not providing data. We estimated the change in provision of medications for self-managed abortion after the Dobbs decision. We then estimated actual use of these medications by accounting for the possibility that not all provided medications are used by recipients. Exposure: Abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision. Main Outcomes and Measures: Provision and use of medications for a self-managed abortion. Results: In the 6-month post-Dobbs period (July 1 to December 31, 2022), the total number of provisions of medications for self-managed abortion increased by 27 838 (95% credible interval [CrI], 26 374-29 175) vs what would have been expected based on pre-Dobbs levels. Excluding imputed data changes the results only slightly (27 145; 95% CrI, 25 747-28 246). Accounting for nonuse of medications, actual self-managed medication abortions increased by an estimated 26 055 (95% CrI, 24 739-27 245) vs what would have been expected had the Dobbs decision not occurred. Conclusions and Relevance: Provision of medications for self-managed abortions increased in the 6 months following the Dobbs decision. Results suggest that a substantial number of abortion seekers accessed services despite the implementation of state-level bans and restrictions.

Understanding the Impacts of the Supreme Court Case FDA v Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.

This Viewpoint outlines the potential effects of the Supreme Court case regarding mifepristone restrictions: a decision for the FDA would allow current dispensing, while ruling against the FDA would severely curtail access to reproductive health options.

The FDA in the Crosshairs-Science, Politics, and Abortion.

In this Viewpoint, the Supreme Court case FDA v AHM is used to illustrate the tension the FDA faces between science and politics, and state authority over abortion vs federal authority over which drugs may be marketed nationwide.

Mifepristone decreases nicotine intake in dependent and non-dependent adult rats.

BACKGROUND: Addiction to tobacco and nicotine products has adverse health effects and afflicts more than a billion people worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new treatments to reduce tobacco and nicotine use. Glucocorticoid receptor blockade shows promise as a novel treatment for drug abuse and stress-related disorders. AIM: These studies aim to investigate whether glucocorticoid receptor blockade with mifepristone diminishes the reinforcing properties of nicotine in rats with intermittent or daily long access to nicotine. METHODS: The rats self-administered 0.06 mg/kg/inf of nicotine for 6 h per day, with either intermittent or daily access for 4 weeks before treatment with mifepristone. Daily nicotine self-administration models regular smoking, while intermittent nicotine self-administration models occasional smoking. To determine whether the rats were dependent, they were treated with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist mecamylamine, and somatic signs were recorded. RESULTS: The rats with intermittent access to nicotine had a higher level of nicotine intake per session than those with daily access but only the rats with daily access to nicotine showed signs of physical dependence. Furthermore, mecamylamine increased nicotine intake during the first hour of access in rats with daily access but not in those with intermittent access. Mifepristone decreased total nicotine intake in rats with intermittent and daily access to nicotine. Moreover, mifepristone decreased the distance traveled and rearing in the open field test and operant responding for food pellets. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that mifepristone decreases nicotine intake but this effect may be partially attributed to the sedative effects of mifepristone.

Significant Palliative Benefits Following Therapy With Mifepristone for Advanced Treatment Resistant Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Progesterone receptor antagonists have been found to provide significant extension of life and considerable palliative benefits in a large variety of very advanced cancers. Most of these treated cancers lack the classical nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR). The hypothesized targets are membrane (m) PRs to inhibit progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF). To date, there have been no case reports documenting the efficacy of PR antagonists for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) confirmed by pathological analysis. The case reported here demonstrates the efficacy of the single oral agent mifepristone in treating resistant SCLC. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old man, presenting with a persistent cough, dyspnea on exertion, and marked weakness, was diagnosed with stage IV non-SCLC (NSCLC) that tested positive for the EGFR mutation. He was treated with the single agent osimertinib. When symptoms returned eight months later, along with radiographic evidence of marked cancer progression, a lung biopsy showed SCLC. He failed to respond to pembrolizumab and subsequently to atezolizumab. He was then treated with the single agent mifepristone 200 mg per day orally. He showed marked clinical improvement associated with marked radiographic improvement. Though clinically doing very well, after one year, his dominant lesion increased in size. His oncologist elected to stop mifepristone and treat with camrelizumab with anlototinib. His clinical condition deteriorated on these drugs, and he died five months later. CONCLUSION: SCLC can be added to the long list of very advanced cancers that are treatment resistant to standard therapy, but respond well to PR antagonists.

A Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Mifepristone and Misoprostol Versus Misoprostol alone for Induction of Labour in Nigerian Women with Intrauterine Fetal Death: A Triple Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine foetal death (IUFD) is an unpleasant pregnancy outcome and prompt delivery of the dead foetus is usually desired by mothers. Unfortunately, spontaneous labour and delivery may not occur early and prolonged retention of the dead foetus in utero is life-threatening. Many of the agents currently used for the induction of labour may result in a prolonged delivery process. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of mifepristone and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone for induction of labour in women with intrauterine foetal death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a triple-blind randomized controlled trial. Eighty women were randomized into two groups. The intervention group received a single oral dose of 200 mg mifepristone, followed by 6-hourly 50 µg misoprostol vaginal insertion, after 24-hour intervals. The control group received a placebo, followed by 6-hourly 50 µg misoprostol vaginal insertion, after 24-hour intervals. The primary outcome measure was the induction to delivery interval. RESULTS: Maternal age, gestational age, parity and pre-induction bishop's score were comparable between the two groups. The mean induction to the delivery interval in the intervention group was significantly less in the intervention group than the control group (18.78 ± 6.51 hours versus 37.10 ± 10.10; P < 0.001). The total dose of misoprostol required for induction of labour; the need for oxytocin augmentation of labour; and the observed side effects of misoprostol were all significantly less in intervention group than control group (P < 0.001; P < 0.01; and P = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol has greater efficacy and better safety profile than the use of misoprostol alone for induction of labour. This combination should be considered when induction of labour is indicated for IUFD.

Retrospective cohort study comparing success of medical management of early pregnancy loss in pregnancies conceived with and without medical assistance.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rates of medical management using a combined mifepristone and misoprostol protocol in cases of early pregnancy loss (EPL) between women who conceived without medical assistance and those who conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), after fresh or frozen embryo transfer, and evaluate for the predictive factors of success, time to first passage of tissue, and time to complete resolution of pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Women who presented with EPL below 13 weeks of gestation between June 2013 and July 2021 who were managed medically with mifepristone 200 mg orally and misoprostol 800 mcg vaginally were included in the study. INTERVENTION(S): Medical management with mifepristone and misoprostol; conception without medical assistance vs. post-IVF, after fresh or frozen embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We evaluated overall success and performed subgroup analysis according to the mode of conception and compared fresh vs. frozen-thawed embryo transfers for IVF pregnancies. In all groups, we also calculated success according to gestational age and compared the time to first passage of tissue. The potential predictive factors of treatment success were analyzed. The side effects and complications of treatment were recorded. RESULT(S): A total of 930 women were included in the study, 99 (11%) of whom achieved pregnancy after IVF. The overall success of medical treatment was 89% with no statistically significant difference according to the mode of conception (89% vs. 89%) or type of transfer (fresh 89% vs. frozen 89%). Only lower gestational age by sonography was independently predictive of treatment success, showing a negative regression coefficient of ß = -0.333 and an odds ratio of 0.717. The mean time to first passage of tissue was 5.0 ± 2.1 hours. Altogether, 666 women (72%) showed pregnancy resolution on the day of medication administration, an additional 110 women at 1-week follow-up, and a further 74 women after ≥4 weeks on ultrasound. CONCLUSION(S): Medical management of EPL with mifepristone and misoprostol is a highly successful treatment option that results in completed abortion in a timely fashion in both pregnancies conceived without medical assistance and those conceived after IVF.

Geographic Access to Early Pregnancy Loss Management.

Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is common, but patients face barriers to the most effective medication (mifepristone followed by misoprostol) and procedural (uterine aspiration) management options. This cross-sectional geospatial analysis evaluated access in New Mexico to mifepristone and misoprostol and uterine aspiration in emergency departments (comprehensive) and to uterine aspiration anywhere in a hospital (aspiration) for EPL. Access was defined as a 60-minute car commute. We collected data from hospital key informants and public databases and performed logistical regression to evaluate associations between access and rurality, area deprivation, race, and ethnicity. Thirty-five of 42 (83.3%) hospitals responded between October 2020 and August 2021. Two hospitals (5.7%) provided comprehensive management; 24 (68.6%) provided aspiration. Rural and higher deprivation areas had statistically significantly lower adjusted odds ratios for comprehensive management (0.03-0.07 and 0.3-0.4, respectively) and aspiration (0.03-0.06 and 0.1-0.3, respectively) access. Mifepristone and uterine aspiration implementation would address disparate access to EPL treatment.

Mifepristone implementation in primary care: Clinician and staff insights from a pilot learning collaborative.

OBJECTIVES: The ExPAND Mifepristone (ExPAND) learning collaborative aims to support primary care providers in overcoming logistical barriers to mifepristone provision. This qualitative study describes clinician and staff perspectives on the impact of ExPAND in two federally qualified health center networks (FQHCs). STUDY DESIGN: Researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interview with a purposive sample of clinicians, staff, and leadership from two Illinois FQHCs. We analyzed transcripts in batches using modified grounded theory to identify themes regarding the reception of ExPAND and barriers to and facilitators of mifepristone implementation. RESULTS: Participants (n = 13) expressed strong support for providing mifepristone for miscarriage management at their clinics. Most also personally supported mifepristone for abortion care. Many participants felt that ExPAND reflected their clinics' values, as it strengthens the primary care relationship, emphasizes patient-centered care, and addresses disparities in access. Barriers to implementation included fear that providing abortion care would jeopardize FQHC funding and logistical hurdles due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Participants felt that mifepristone provision in primary care was an important service, and that ExPAND helped achieve that goal. Future clinics participating in ExPAND would benefit from education about how FQHCs can provide mifepristone for abortion care while complying with federal funding restrictions. IMPLICATIONS: Learning collaboratives like ExPAND can prepare primary care clinics to provide mifepristone. Participants describe a clear benefit of mifepristone integration to their patients, and they report mifepristone integration aligns with clinic values.

Experiences with misoprostol-only used for self-managed abortion and acquired from an online or retail pharmacy in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand individual experiences with medication abortion using misoprostol-only among people living in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted 31 semistructured anonymous in-depth interviews with individuals who used misoprostol-only for self-managed medication abortion. Participants were recruited from Aid Access, an online telemedicine organization that provided prescriptions for misoprostol to eligible people in all 50 states in May and June 2020 when a combined mifepristone and misoprostol regimen was unavailable. We coded transcripts with a flexible coding approach and focused on perceptions and experiences with use. RESULTS: Participants were knowledgeable about misoprostol. Previous abortion experiences shaped perceptions of misoprostol-only by allowing comparison to the mifepristone and misoprostol regimen. Most participants expressed an unwavering desire for an effective abortion method, regardless of the medications or regimen. Individual physical experiences with misoprostol, including bleeding, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea, varied in intensity and duration. Participants proactively managed symptoms with self-care strategies and drew extensively from their prior experiences with menstruation, miscarriage, abortion, and childbirth. Clear instructions and information on potential complications and what to expect throughout the abortion fostered a sense of preparedness, and personalized interactions with an online help desk brought comfort. CONCLUSIONS: Misoprostol offered an essential abortion method for study participants. This regimen was physically challenging for some, and there is potentially a greater need for communication and support for individuals using misoprostol-only regimens. Prior reproductive experiences informed participant's knowledge, preparedness, pain management, and ability to both recognize and manage potential complications. IMPLICATIONS: As restrictions on mifepristone continue, more people may use misoprostol-only regimens. All regimens can be supported with detailed instructions, clear expectations, information on signs of potential complications, and personalized support. To achieve reproductive autonomy, people must have access to a range of abortion care options that meet their needs.

Reversal of medication abortion with progesterone: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether there is evidence to recommend progesterone for individuals not wishing to complete a medication abortion after taking mifepristone. METHODS: We undertook an updated systematic review including a primary search for studies in which individuals received progesterone to reverse the effects of mifepristone, and a secondary search for studies in which individuals received mifepristone alone. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL and grey literature up to December 2022. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools for risk of bias assessment. We compared ongoing pregnancy rates among individuals treated with progesterone to those managed expectantly. RESULTS: We did not find new studies in our secondary search. For the main search, we included three case series and one randomised controlled trial. Data were available for 561 individuals who received progesterone after mifepristone, of whom 271 (48%) had ongoing pregnancies. The quality of the evidence in the case series was low due to methodological and ethical issues. Enrollment in the randomised trial stopped early due to bleeding events in both arms. The ongoing pregnancy rate for individuals ≤7 weeks who received progesterone was 42% (95% CI 37-48) compared with 22% (95% CI 11-39) for mifepristone alone. At 7-8 weeks, the ongoing pregnancy rate was 62% (95% CI 52-71) in the progesterone group and 50% (95% CI 15- 85) in the mifepristone alone group. CONCLUSION: Based mostly on poor-quality data, it appears the ongoing pregnancy rate in individuals treated with progesterone after mifepristone is not significantly higher compared to that of individuals receiving mifepristone alone.

Mifepristone Use Among Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Massachusetts: Prevalence and Predictors of Use.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the prevalence of mifepristone use for evidence-based indications among obstetrician-gynecologists in independent practice in Massachusetts and explored the demographic and practice-related factors associated with use. METHODS: We used data from a cross-sectional survey administered to Massachusetts obstetrician-gynecologists identified from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. We measured the prevalence of mifepristone use for four clinical scenarios: early pregnancy loss, medication abortion, cervical preparation before dilation and evacuation procedures, and cervical preparation before induction of labor. Multivariate regression was used to calculate the odds of mifepristone use for these scenarios based on practice type, years in practice, physician sex, and history of medication abortion training. RESULTS: A total of 198 obstetrician-gynecologists responded to the survey (response rate = 29.0%); this analysis was limited to 158 respondents who were not in residency or fellowship. Overall, 46.0% used mifepristone for early pregnancy loss and 38.6% for medication abortion. Fewer used mifepristone for cervical preparation before dilation and evacuation (26.0%) or before induction of labor (26.4%). Respondents in academic practice settings, with more years in practice, of female sex, and with sufficient medication abortion training were significantly more likely to use mifepristone for one or more evidence-based clinical indications. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient medication abortion training during residency significantly predicts whether obstetrician-gynecologists use mifepristone in practice. The U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade will allow state-level abortion bans and restrictions to be in effect, which will reduce exposure to abortion training during residency. Increasing training in and utilization of mifepristone are critical for equitable access to reproductive health services. Further interventions may need to be developed to increase mifepristone use in nonacademic practice settings.

Steroid profile in patients with breast cancer and in mice treated with mifepristone.

Progesterone receptors (PRs) are biomarkers used as prognostic and predictive factors in breast cancer, but they are still not used as therapeutic targets. We have proposed that the ratio between PR isoforms A and B (PRA and PRB) predicts antiprogestin responsiveness. The MIPRA trial confirmed the benefit of 200 mg mifepristone, administered to patients with tumors with a high PRA/PRB ratio, but dose-ranging has not been conducted. The aim of this study was to establish the plasma mifepristone levels of patients from the MIPRA trial, along with the resultant steroid profiles, and compare these with those observed in mifepristone-treated mice using therapeutic schemes able to induce the regression of experimental mammary carcinomas with high PRA/PRB ratios: 6 mg pellets implanted subcutaneously, or daily doses of 12 mg/kg body weight. The plasma levels of mifepristone and other 19 plasma steroids were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectometry. In mifepristone-treated mice, plasma levels were lower than those registered in mifepristone-treated patients (i.e. day 7 after treatment initiation, pellet-treated mice: 8.4 ± 3.9 ng/mL; mifepristone-treated patients: 300.3 ± 31.7 ng/mL (mean ± s.d.; P < 0.001)). The increase in corticoid related steroids observed in patients was not observed in mifepristone-treated mice. The increase in progesterone levels was the most significant side effect detected in mifepristone-treated mice after 14 or 21 days of treatment, probably due to an ovarian compensatory effect not observed in postmenopausal patients. We conclude that in future clinical trials using mifepristone, the possibility of lowering the standard daily dose of 200 mg should be considered.

Fertility preservation in pregnant cancer patients after first-trimester abortion: a new challenge with possible solutions.

Fertility preservation in pregnant women recently diagnosed with cancer can be a challenge. Raised levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta-hCG) and progesterone in this population of patients may pose a problem for the prompt initiation of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) due to a potential negative feedback of these hormones on folliculogenesis; however, it is not feasible to wait for negativization of serum beta-hCG levels before starting controlled ovarian stimulation. In literature, very few cases have been reported regarding the preservation of fertility in pregnant women recently diagnosed with cancer. We performed an extended revision of the literature to evaluate the current knowledge of the management of fertility preservation in women with cancer and we examined two cases closely. The first case study involved a cancer patient who underwent surgical abortion at 6.5 weeks of gestation followed by administration of mifepristone to detach any minimal residual trophoblast and consequently to decrease serum beta-hCG and progesterone levels before starting COS. In the second case study, the cancer patient underwent surgical abortion at 7.1 weeks of gestation and simultaneous unilateral oophorectomy for ovarian tissue cryopreservation due to a limited time for COS. By analyzing the results of these studies, it could be hypothesized that mifepristone administration may favor the decrease of serum beta-hCG and progesterone levels in order to permit rapid initiation of COS. In cases where COS is not feasible, ovarian tissue cryopreservation should be considered as an alternative fertility preservation technique.