Scientists from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine have found vital clues that may help explain the cause of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic disease characterized by infertility and chronic pelvic pain during intercourse.
The study led by Serdar Bulun, M.D., George H. Gardner Professor of Clinical Gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, have discovered key epigenetic abnormalities in endometriosis and identified existing chemicals that now help treat it.
These abnormalities result from epigenetic defects that occur very early on during embryonic development and may be the result of early exposure to environmental toxins
One of the abnormalities he discovered is the presence of the enzyme aromatase - which produces estrogen - in endometriosis, the diseased tissue that exists on pelvic organs and mimics the uterine lining.
As a result, women with endometriosis have excessive estrogen in this abnormal tissue found on surfaces of pelvic organs such as the ovaries.
Bulun found the protein SF1 that produces aromatase, which is supposed to be shut down, is active in endometriosis.
"Estrogen is like fuel for fire in endometriosis. "It triggers the endometriosis and makes it grow fast," Bulun said.
Bulun launched clinical trials in testing aromatase inhibitors currently used in breast cancer treatment - for women with endometriosis.
The drug blocks estrogen formation and secondarily improves progesterone responsiveness.
"We came up with a new treatment of choice for post-menopausal women with endometriosis," Bulun said. Moreover, treatment with an aromatase inhibitor is a very good option for premenopausal women with endometriosis not responding to existing treatments, he said.
