~1 spots leftby Dec 2025

Kisspeptin for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Stephanie Seminara, MD โ€” Innovation ...
Overseen byStephanie B. Seminara, MD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Female
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 1
Recruiting
Sponsor: Stephanie B. Seminara, MD
Must not be taking: Hormonal medications
Disqualifiers: Excessive alcohol, Illicit drugs, others
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial involves giving kisspeptin and another hormone to people with PCOS to see how it affects their hormone levels. The goal is to understand if kisspeptin can help regulate their reproductive hormones. Kisspeptin has recently emerged as a key regulator of the reproductive system in women and has been shown to stimulate the secretion of another important hormone.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are using hormonal medications or any drugs that might affect the reproductive system, you may need to stop taking them and go through a washout period (time without taking certain medications) before joining the trial.

What evidence supports the effectiveness of the drug Kisspeptin for treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Research shows that a kisspeptin receptor agonist, MVT-602, can increase luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in women with PCOS, similar to its effects in healthy women, suggesting it may help regulate reproductive hormones. Additionally, kisspeptin levels are higher in women with PCOS, indicating its role in the condition and potential as a treatment target.12345

Is Kisspeptin safe for use in humans?

Kisspeptin has been studied for its role in reproductive health and has shown promise in treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) with reduced risk of complications. It has been used to stimulate hormone secretion in both healthy individuals and those with reproductive disorders, suggesting it is generally safe for human use.46789

How is the drug Kisspeptin different from other treatments for PCOS?

Kisspeptin is unique because it directly influences the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is crucial for regulating hormones involved in ovulation. This makes it different from other treatments that may not target the hormonal imbalance at this specific level, potentially offering a novel approach for managing PCOS symptoms.310111213

Research Team

Stephanie Seminara, MD โ€” Innovation ...

Stephanie B. Seminara, MD

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for women aged 18-45 with a BMI between 18.5 and 35 who have been diagnosed with PCOS. Participants should have normal blood pressure, not be pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid heavy alcohol use, and not be on hormonal medications unless they can stop them before the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Not breastfeeding
You are between 18 and 45 years old.
You have been diagnosed with PCOS or show similar symptoms.
See 11 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Review of medical history, physical exam, and screening laboratories

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive a 24-hour infusion of kisspeptin with up to two IV boluses

24 hours
1 visit (inpatient)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • GnRH (Hormone Therapy)
  • Kisspeptin 112-121 (Hormone Therapy)
Trial OverviewThe study aims to understand how kisspeptin affects hormone patterns in those with PCOS by comparing it to GnRH (a natural hormone). It will look at the body's response to kisspeptin and its effect on luteinizing hormone levels.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: kisspeptinExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
IV administration of kisspeptin 112-121; 24-hour infusion, up to 2 boluses.

GnRH is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

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Approved in Canada as Gonadorelin for:
  • Infertility
  • Precocious puberty
  • Endometriosis
  • Prostate cancer

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stephanie B. Seminara, MD

Lead Sponsor

Trials
10
Recruited
840+

Findings from Research

MVT-602, a KISS1R agonist, demonstrated a similar ability to induce luteinizing hormone (LH) release in healthy women compared to native kisspeptin-54, but with a delayed peak and longer duration of action, suggesting enhanced therapeutic potential.
In women with reproductive disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), MVT-602 showed effective LH responses, indicating its potential utility in treating various female reproductive health issues.
Kisspeptin receptor agonist has therapeutic potential for female reproductive disorders.Abbara, A., Eng, PC., Phylactou, M., et al.[2022]
In a study involving 28 obese and overweight women with PCOS, 28 normal weight women with PCOS, and 13 obese controls, it was found that higher levels of metastin (kisspeptin) were associated with lower insulin resistance and free androgen levels.
The research suggests that insulin resistance in PCOS may lead to increased androgen production and decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, indicating a complex relationship between metabolism and reproductive hormones in women with this condition.
Plasma metastin levels are negatively correlated with insulin resistance and free androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Panidis, D., Rousso, D., Koliakos, G., et al.[2022]
Pulsatile administration of luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) effectively stimulates gonadotrophin secretion, which can be used to induce ovulation in women and promote puberty and spermatogenesis in men, highlighting its therapeutic potential in reproductive health.
In contrast, continuous infusion of LHRH leads to desensitization and inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion, but long-acting synthetic analogs of LHRH can effectively treat conditions like prostatic carcinoma and central precocious puberty, and are being explored for contraception and endometriosis treatment.
NIH conference. Therapeutic applications of luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone and its analogs.Cutler, GB., Hoffman, AR., Swerdloff, RS., et al.[2019]

References

Kisspeptin receptor agonist has therapeutic potential for female reproductive disorders. [2022]
Plasma metastin levels are negatively correlated with insulin resistance and free androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. [2022]
Kisspeptin Variations in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-A Prospective Case Control Study. [2022]
NIH conference. Therapeutic applications of luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone and its analogs. [2019]
Establishment and clinical application of enzyme immunoassays for determination of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and metastin. [2011]
Clinical aspects of LHRH analogues in gynaecology: a review. [2013]
Clinical Translational Studies of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B. [2021]
Gonadotropins and Their Analogs: Current and Potential Clinical Applications. [2022]
Use of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonists in polycystic ovary syndrome. [2019]
The Correlation between Hormonal Disturbance in PCOS Women and Serum Level of Kisspeptin. [2022]
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and kisspeptin - A Sri Lankan study. [2020]
Kisspeptin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. [2023]
13.Korea (South)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Comprehensive Review on Kisspeptin and Its Role in Reproductive Disorders. [2022]