Endometriosis: a promising new treatment coming

Health Canada has granted a notice of compliance to Sumitomo Pharma Canada and Pfizer Canada regarding Myfembree, for the management of moderate or severe pain associated with endometriosis in premenopausal women.This medicinal combination is composed of relugolix at 40 mg, estradiol at 1 mg and norethindrone acetate at 0.5 mg. It comes in the form of a tablet to be taken once a day, orally.According to Dr. Madeleine Lemyre, gynecologist and researcher at the University Hospital Center of Quebec-Université Laval, this approval is good news for the management of endometriosis.Read: Provide support for people with menopause symptoms at work, new report urgesAlthough progestin-based hormonal contraceptives are treatments for endometriosis and are often used as first-line treatment, they are not suitable for all women. “Some patients resist or do not tolerate progestins, particularly because of the effects on mood,” says Dr. Lemyre. In this context, treatments such as GnRH modulators (GnRH agonists or antagonists) may then prove to be an interesting option. “These treatments, which mimic a menopausal environment by reducing the body's natural production of estrogens, come in the form of injections (like leuprolide) or tablets (like elagolix),” explains the gynecologist.“As these medications cause a sort of 'temporary menopause,' which is reversible upon stopping treatment, they can cause side effects such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and even long-term osteoporosis. term,” says Dr. Lemyre.Read: Chronic pelvic pain affects up to 26% of women—our latest research brings us closer to better treating itTo counteract the side effects of modulator treatments, other medications are often added, such as replacement hormones. “In some cases, patients must take several tablets per day,” she adds. The approval of Myfembree is a game-changer for these patients, since the tablet combines replacement hormones and relugolix (the GnRH antagonist) in a single tablet to be taken once a day. “These hormones make it possible, among other things, to reduce vasomotor symptoms and prevent the onset of osteoporosis associated with the cessation of natural estrogen production,” says the doctor. Dr. Lemyre reiterates the importance of drug treatments for endometriosis, because the disease can be difficult for patients to live with. “There is no correlation between the stage of the disease and the intensity of pain or the impact on quality of life. Even a mild stage of the disease can be extremely disabling and have a significant social impact for patients,” she says, adding that approximately 10% of the Canadian population suffers from endometriosis.Sumitomo Pharma indicated in a press release that Pfizer Canada is currently evaluating the date on which Myfembree will become available in the country.In October 2023, the federal agency also approved the use of Myfembree for the management of menorrhagia associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women.This article was translated from French and originally ran in our sister publication Profession Santé.

Endometriosis: a promising new treatment coming

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