Methotrexate is one such form of treatment where the medicine is injected into the muscle and works to remove folate from the body to stop the ectopic pregnancy cells from dividing. This method of treatment, as opposed to surgery where the tube is typically removed, preserves the fallopian tube and enables a faster physical recovery time. The downside of methotrexate is it can have temporary side effects where the lady feels very ill. Methotrexate sometimes requires a second injection and is successful in 66-95% of cases depending upon the study.
GEM3 Trials
A group of researchers, led by Professor Andrew Horne of the University of Edinburgh, are running the GEM3 trial which is a multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial. This trial is seeking to establish whether medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy with the drug methotrexate is more effective when used in combination with the drug gefitinib. The study will be available at up to 50 centres across the UK.
Eligible patients will be offered the opportunity to be randomised to either the gefitinib or the placebo to be used in combination with the methotrexate. This involves taking one tablet a day for 7 days starting from the day the methotrexate is given, which is usually a single injection. Sites are now starting to open across the UK.
Currently open are:
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Fife
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow
Cambridge University NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Forth Valley
Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation trust
Heart Of England NHS Foundation Trust
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Norwich and Norfolk University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Borders General Hospital in Melrose
South Tyneside District Hospital
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
South Tees NHS Foundation Trust
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Directly affected by ectopic pregnancy?
If you have been directly affected by ectopic pregnancy, you are invited to complete our Research Questionnaire. The responses help us to talk to the media, the medico nursing professions and the general public about the experience of those who adjust to a life after ectopic pregnancy. Your contributions are used to guide these powerful agencies, in delivering care and information on the condition to a wider audience.
