Shooting STAR: re-interpreting the data from the “Single Embryo Transfer of Euploid Embryo” randomized clinical trial

Publication date: Available online 25 January 2020Source: Reproductive BioMedicine OnlineAuthor(s): Luca Pagliardini, Paola Viganò, Alessandra Alteri, Laura Corti, Edgardo Somigliana, Enrico PapaleoAbstractNowadays, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) still remains controversial in clinical practice. Recently, the randomized controlled trial named “Single Embryo Transfer of Euploid Embryo” (STAR) by Munné and coworkers showed a similar live birth rate per intention to treat in the two study groups (PGT-A and controls). A wrong diagnosis and/or a biopsy-related damage to the embryo might underlie these results. To assess the impact of these factors on the efficiency of PGT-A we compared the live birth rate of “euploid” embryos transferred in the PGT-A group with its ideal value, namely the live birth rate of the embryos with the potential to implant and to give rise to a baby in the control group. This estimation has been derived using the results of the genetic testing reported in the STAR trial. According to our model, the STAR trial has demonstrated that transferring only blastocysts classified as “euploid” after PGT-A test leads to a reduction from 82.2 % to 50.0 % of the live birth rate for competent embryos, thus supporting the idea that PGT-A is associated with some embryo wastage.
Source: Reproductive BioMedicine Online - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research