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Challenges in Conducting Clinical Trials for Preeclampsia

  • Preeclampsia (A Kattah, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review recent data describing the challenges and innovations in therapeutic research focused on the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.

Recent Findings

Pregnant individuals have traditionally been excluded from therapeutic research, resulting in a paucity of innovation in therapeutics for pregnancy-specific medical conditions, especially preeclampsia. With the increased awareness of maternal morbidity and mortality, there is significant interest among researchers to expand therapeutic research in pregnancy. Several medications, including aspirin, pravastatin, metformin, and esomeprazole, which are commonly used in non-pregnant populations, are now being investigated for preeclampsia prevention. However, given the historic precedent of exclusion, along with the regulatory, ethical, and feasibility concerns that accompany this population, the study of these and novel medications has been complicated by numerous challenges.

Summary

While complex, and laden with challenges, there is great ongoing need for therapeutic research to address preeclampsia. Aspirin, pravastatin, metformin, and esomeprazole have all shown promise as potential therapeutic agents; however, their use remains to be optimized, and innovative therapeutics need to be developed.

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Funding

MMC is supported by a grant from The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (UG1HD027915) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (UH3HL140131).

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,UG1HD027915,National Heart,Lung,and Blood Institute,UH3HL140131

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  1. T. Caroline Bank and Diana Kline contributed equally to the paper and share co-leading authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    T. Caroline Bank & Maged M. Costantine

  2. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    Diana Kline

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  1. T. Caroline Bank
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  2. Diana Kline
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T.C.B. and D.K. contributed equally to the main manuscript creation and share co-leading authorship. M.M.C. contributed significant additions to the text and all authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to T. Caroline Bank.

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Bank, T.C., Kline, D. & Costantine, M.M. Challenges in Conducting Clinical Trials for Preeclampsia. Curr Hypertens Rep 26, 59–68 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-023-01276-y

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