Abstract
Endometriosis, a chronic gynecologic disease frequently resulting in chronic pelvic pain, severe dysmenorrhoea, and subfertility, is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue at extrauterine locations, most commonly on the peritoneum and ovaries. Conclusive diagnosis requires laparoscopic surgery followed by histological confirmation. The treatment options -at present- are limited to hormonal therapies and/or surgical ablation of the lesions, and are characterized by high recurrence rates, significant side-effects and limited duration of administration. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is still unclear and numerous immunological and inflammatory factors have been suggested to be involved in the development of the disease, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor – alpha (TNF-α), regulated on activation, normal T-Cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and its receptor cognate chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cyclooxygenase (COX). Another crucial mechanism in endometriosis is the vascularisation of the endometriotic lesions, with a key role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Recently, protease activated receptors (PARs), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and tyrosine kinases have also been associated with the pathophysiology of endometriosis. The aim of this article is to discuss molecules that have recently been found to have connections with the pathogenesis of endometriosis, as potential targets to develop new methods for noninvasive diagnosis and for novel medical management of this disease. This review also critically addresses how these molecules can be tested in basic, preclinical and clinical research, the status of this research and the importance of potential side effects.
Keywords: Endometriosis, non-steroidal targets, diagnosis, treatment, TNF-alpha inhibitors, anti-angiogenic therapies, COX-2 inhibitors, steroid hormone
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Non-Steroidal Targets in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis
Volume: 15 Issue: 10
Author(s): C. M. Kyama, A. Mihalyi, P. Simsa, J. M. Mwenda, C. Tomassetti, C. Meuleman and T. M. D'Hooghe
Affiliation:
Keywords: Endometriosis, non-steroidal targets, diagnosis, treatment, TNF-alpha inhibitors, anti-angiogenic therapies, COX-2 inhibitors, steroid hormone
Abstract: Endometriosis, a chronic gynecologic disease frequently resulting in chronic pelvic pain, severe dysmenorrhoea, and subfertility, is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue at extrauterine locations, most commonly on the peritoneum and ovaries. Conclusive diagnosis requires laparoscopic surgery followed by histological confirmation. The treatment options -at present- are limited to hormonal therapies and/or surgical ablation of the lesions, and are characterized by high recurrence rates, significant side-effects and limited duration of administration. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is still unclear and numerous immunological and inflammatory factors have been suggested to be involved in the development of the disease, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor – alpha (TNF-α), regulated on activation, normal T-Cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and its receptor cognate chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cyclooxygenase (COX). Another crucial mechanism in endometriosis is the vascularisation of the endometriotic lesions, with a key role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Recently, protease activated receptors (PARs), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and tyrosine kinases have also been associated with the pathophysiology of endometriosis. The aim of this article is to discuss molecules that have recently been found to have connections with the pathogenesis of endometriosis, as potential targets to develop new methods for noninvasive diagnosis and for novel medical management of this disease. This review also critically addresses how these molecules can be tested in basic, preclinical and clinical research, the status of this research and the importance of potential side effects.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kyama M. C., Mihalyi A., Simsa P., Mwenda M. J., Tomassetti C., Meuleman C. and D'Hooghe M. T., Non-Steroidal Targets in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometriosis, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 15 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986708784049595
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986708784049595 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Chlorophylls and their Derivatives Used in Food Industry and Medicine
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry How Do Periodontal Infections Affect the Onset and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Natural Products Towards the Discovery of Potential Future Antithrombotic Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Structure Based Virtual Screening for the Identification of Potential Inhibitors for Penicillin Binding Protein 2B of the Resistant 5204 Strain of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>
Current Bioinformatics Diagnostic and Therapeutic Nanoparticles in Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Clinical Features and Disease Damage Risk Factors in an Egyptian SLE Cohort: A Multicenter Study
Current Rheumatology Reviews High-Level Aminoglycoside Resistance in Enterococcus Faecalis and Enterococcus Faecium; as a Serious Threat in Hospitals
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Antithrombotic Therapy in Cardiac Embolism
Current Cardiology Reviews Myocardial Infarction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – the Sex-Specific Risk Profile
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Therapeutic Application of Chondroitin Sulfate/Dermatan Sulfate
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Drug Delivery Systems Based on Titania Nanotubes and Active Agents for Enhanced Osseointegration of Bone Implants
Current Medicinal Chemistry Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Spray-Dried Microparticles for the Delivery of Clindamycin Phosphate to Periodontal Pockets
Current Drug Delivery The Perils, Pitfalls and Opportunities of Using High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin
Current Medicinal Chemistry Topical Antimicrobials for Burn Wound Infections
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Driving Forces of Mechanisms Regulating Oxacillin-Resistance Phenotypes of MRSA: Truly Oxacillin-Susceptible mecA-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates also Exist
Current Pharmaceutical Design Phytochemicals as Inhibitors of Candida Biofilm
Current Pharmaceutical Design Clopidogrel and Aspirin in Cardiovascular Medicine: Responders or Not -- Current Best Available Evidence
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Long-term Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair Versus Replacement for Degenerative Disease: A Systematic Review
Current Cardiology Reviews Indications for Surgery and Operative Techniques in Infective Endocarditis in the Present Day
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Current Status of Carbapenem Antibiotics
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry