Recruiting
Phase 1

Fulvestrant & Letrozole

Sponsor:

Northwestern University

Code:

NCT07604272

Conditions

Inguinal Hernia Unilateral

Inguinal Hernia Bilateral

Inguinal Hernia Without Obstruction or Gangrene

Inguinal Hernia, Without Mention of Obstruction or Gangrene

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Male

Age: 50+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Fulvestrant

Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX™)

Study Details

Brief summary:

This is a prospective, single-center, two-arm Phase 1 safety and feasibility trial evaluating anti-estrogen therapy in men age 50 years and older with symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernias. Participants will be randomized to receive Fulvestrant 250 mg intramuscularly or anastrozole 1 mg orally for 6 months. The study will evaluate safety, tolerability, feasibility, hormone changes, hernia size, patient-reported outcomes, bone density, and imaging-based hernia classification.

Conditions

Inguinal Hernia Unilateral

Inguinal Hernia Bilateral

Inguinal Hernia Without Obstruction or Gangrene

Inguinal Hernia, Without Mention of Obstruction or Gangrene

Study ID

NCT07604272

Start date

Jul 31, 2026

Status verified date

Jul, 2026

Completion date

Jul, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jul, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Male

Age: 50+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male sex
  • Age ≥ 50 years at time of enrollment
  • Symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia confirmed on physical examination
  • Hernia visible / confirmed on groin ultrasound
  • Non-recurrent inguinal hernia (primary hernia only)
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent
  • Able and willing to comply with all protocol-required visits, laboratory assessments, imaging, and follow-up
  • Willing to use contraception and avoid fathering a child during study participation and for 12 months after last dose
  • Willing to be counseled regarding vitamin D and calcium supplementation Bone safety mitigation measure per PIND response.

Exclusion Criteria:

Hernia Characteristics

  • Scrotal hernia (any)
  • Bilateral inguinal hernia
  • Recurrent inguinal hernia (prior repair at same site)

Renal \& Hepatic

  • Clinically significant renal dysfunction judged by investigator to increase study risk
  • Clinically significant hepatic dysfunction at baseline

Hematologic

■ Clinically significant baseline hematologic abnormality (including elevated hematocrit or polycythemia)

Urologic / Prostate

  • Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) requiring active medical or procedural treatment
  • Clinically significant untreated prostate disease

Skeletal / Bone

  • Baseline osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5 on DEXA at any site)
  • Recent fragility fracture (within prior 12 months or as judged by investigator)
  • Other clinically significant skeletal vulnerability judged to increase risk from estrogen suppression

Immunosuppression ■ Active immunosuppression (e.g., systemic corticosteroids, biologic agents, post-transplant regimens)

Psychiatric

■ Unstable or uncontrolled psychiatric illness that, in the investigator's judgment, would interfere with safe study participation

Reproductive / Fertility ■ Actively pursuing fertility or planning conception during study participation

Prior / Concomitant Therapy

  • Current use of androgen replacement therapy, exogenous estrogen, or other endocrine-active agents that would confound study interpretation
  • Prior or current use of aromatase inhibitor or selective estrogen receptor modulator / degrader within 6 months of enrollment

General

■ Any other clinically significant medical condition, laboratory abnormality, or circumstance that, in the investigator's judgment, would place the participant at unacceptable risk or compromise study integrity

Study Design

Enrollment

30 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Fulvestrant 250 mg

Participants will receive Fulvestrant 250 mg intramuscularly on Days 1 and 29, then monthly for 6 months.

experimental: Anastrozole 1 mg

Participants will receive anastrozole 1 mg orally once daily for 6 months.

Interventions

Fulvestrant

Participants will receive fulvestrant 250 mg intramuscularly on Days 1 and 29, then monthly for 6 months.

Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX™)

Participants will receive anastrozole 1 mg orally once daily for 6 months.

Primary outcome measure

  • Composite Safety Event Rate [ Time Frame: 6 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Locations

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Recruiting

Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611

Contacts

More Information

Sponsor

Northwestern University

Last update posted

Aug 3, 2026

Last verified

Jul, 2026

Keywords

  • inguinal hernia
  • hernia
  • fulvestrant
  • anti-estrogen therapy
  • aromatase inhibitor
  • estrogen receptor
  • ESR1
  • male inguinal hernia
  • hormonal therapy
  • fibrosis
  • hernia prevention
  • hernia regression
  • anastrozole

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Northwestern University on 2026-08-03.