Effect of Tacrolimus on Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) and Elevated Th1/Th2 Ratio: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is often linked to immune dysregulation, particularly an elevated Th1/Th2 ratio that impairs embryo implantation. While several immunotherapies have been used, their efficacy and safety remain unclear. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and immunomodulatory effects of tacrolimus treatment in women with RIF exhibiting elevated Th1/Th2 ratios.

METHODS

This was a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial conducted between April 2024 to May 2025. A total of 153 RIF patients were screened, and 91 patients with a Th1/Th2 ratio ≥10.3 were identified. After exclusions, 80 patients were randomized 1:1 to tacrolimus or placebo. Patients were administered tacrolimus or placebo for 16 days, beginning 2 days before embryo transfer and continuing until the pregnancy test day. The primary outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate. Live birth was prespecified as the key secondary outcome. Additional secondary outcomes included miscarriage, ongoing pregnancy, multiple gestation, changes in the Th1/Th2 ratio, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Clinical pregnancy occurred in 17 of 40 patients (42.5%) in the tacrolimus group compared with 6 of 40 patients (15.0%) in the placebo group (RR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.30-6.44; p = 0.0125), corresponding to an absolute risk difference of 27.5% and a number needed to treat (NNT) of 4. Live birth occurred in 11 of 40 patients (27.5%) versus 3 of 40 patients (7.5%), respectively (RR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.21-11.63; p = 0.0367), with an absolute risk difference of 20.0% and an NNT of 5. The Th1/Th2 ratio decreased significantly after treatment in the tacrolimus group (17.01 ± 3.99 to 12.56 ± 2.78, p < 0.0001), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. No severe adverse events or treatment discontinuations occurred.

CONCLUSION

Tacrolimus treatment improved clinical pregnancy outcomes and effectively reduced elevated Th1-dominant immune responses in RIF patients. These findings support the use of tacrolimus as an immunosuppressive therapy for RIF patients with elevated Th1/Th2 ratios.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20231127060207N1).