Dr. Lourdes Ibáñez explained to the Spanish news channel LaSexta that the Spiomet4Health clinical trial, led by the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, has the potential to be the first specific treatment to effectively address this condition from its origin.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal problem that affects between 5 and 10% of women of reproductive age. However, despite the number of affected individuals, no specific treatment has been developed to address the cause rather than just the symptoms of PCOS.
Living with PCOS without treatment
One of the main symptoms that women with PCOS experience is irregular periods marked by severe discomfort. Additionally, excess androgens are common and can manifest as acne, excess body or facial hair (hirsutism), and weight alterations. The presence of polycystic ovaries is also one of the symptoms of PCOS, but not in all cases.
In addition to these manifestations, PCOS directly affects the quality of life for women. In fact, it can contribute to the development of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer before menopause, anxiety, or depression, directly impacting self-esteem.
A permanent solution for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
“This project is very important because, if the effectiveness of the medication is confirmed, it will be the first time that complications associated with PCOS, such as infertility, diabetes, and low self-esteem, can be permanently reversed,” says Dr. Lourdes Ibáñez, winner of the National Research Award of Catalonia in 2014 and recently honored by two top international institutions, the American Endocrine Society and the American Human Growth Foundation.
Currently, there is no treatment targeted at the cause of PCOS, but various medications aim to control symptoms without eliminating them at the root. In this context, the Spiomet4Health project initiates an international clinical trial to evaluate the first specific treatment for the cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in adolescents and young women.
Spiomet4health: treating PCOS at its core
The phase II clinical trial is taking place in Spain (Barcelona and Girona), Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Austria, and Norway. Specifically, it involves a daily tablet, a combination of low doses of three drugs that have been on the market for two or more decades (spironolactone, pioglitazone, and metformin), which, along with a healthy lifestyle, could normalize hormones and ovulation, thus reversing the alterations associated with PCOS.
The trial is funded by the European Commission and brings together a consortium of 17 organizations and key research groups working on this syndrome throughout Europe, under the coordination of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital.
Currently, the clinical trial is in the recruitment phase for women aged between 12 and 23 diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. All information about the clinical trial and participation is available on the website.