Clinical Reviews & Cases

Clinical Reviews & Cases

Open Access
ISSN: 2689-1069
Original Research Article

Targeted Immunoregulation Guided by NK Cell Activity and Embryotoxicity Assay (ETA) in Women with Multiple IVF Failures: A Clinical Pilot Study

Authors: Ioannis K Toliopoulos, Charles Oluwabukunmi Kolade, Alexandros Kanaris, Roumen G Roussev.

DOI: 10.33425/2689-1069.1080


Abstract

Background: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of personalized immunomodulatory protocols—specifically Intralipid and Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)—in a highly refractory cohort of patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) and Advanced Maternal Age (AMA).

Methods: A clinical pilot study was conducted involving 15 women (mean age 41.5 ±4.3years) with a history of extensive reproductive failure (mean of 7.3 previous IVF failures; range 1–29). Pre-treatment screening utilized the Embryotoxicity Assay (ETA) and a comprehensive Natural Killer (NK) cell panel (CD3−CD56+, CD3-CD16-CD56+, and NK functional activity. Immunotherapy was individualized based on these specific profiles: Intralipid monotherapy (40.0%, n=6) or combined Intralipid + IVIG (60.0%, n=9).

Results: Despite the highly refractory history, the clinical pregnancy rate (HCG+) was 73.3% (n=11) and the live birth rate was 60.0% (n=9). Overall, 73.3% (n=11) of the cohort exhibited either high NK cytotoxicity (>10%) and/or positive/inhibiting ETA factors. Notably, two sets of twin pregnancies were successfully carried to term in women aged 48 and 49.

Conclusions: Targeted immunotherapy guided by NK cell-panel and ETA diagnostics significantly restores the "immunological window of implantation." These results suggest that for patients with multiple IVF failures, addressing the maternal immune environment is as critical as embryo quality, extending reproductive viability even in older demographics.

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Citation: Ioannis K Toliopoulos, Charles Oluwabukunmi Kolade, Alexandros Kanaris, et al. Targeted Immunoregulation Guided by NK Cell Activity and Embryotoxicity Assay (ETA) in Women with Multiple IVF Failures: A Clinical Pilot Study. Clin Rev Cases. 2026; 8(3). DOI: 10.33425/2689-1069.1080
Editor-in-Chief
Roy G. Beran
Roy G. Beran
Department of Medicine | University of New South Wales

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