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Taylor HS, Kotlyar AM, Flores VA. Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease: clinical challenges and novel innovations. Lancet 2021; 397:839-852. [PMID: 33640070 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00389-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 386] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common disease affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age globally. However, despite its prevalence, diagnosis is typically delayed by years, misdiagnosis is common, and delivery of effective therapy is prolonged. Identification and prompt treatment of endometriosis are essential and facilitated by accurate clinical diagnosis. Endometriosis is classically defined as a chronic, gynaecological disease characterised by endometrial-like tissue present outside of the uterus and is thought to arise by retrograde menstruation. However, this description is outdated and no longer reflects the true scope and manifestations of the disease. The clinical presentation is varied, the presence of pelvic lesions is heterogeneous, and the manifestations of the disease outside of the female reproductive tract remain poorly understood. Endometriosis is now considered a systemic disease rather than a disease predominantly affecting the pelvis. Endometriosis affects metabolism in liver and adipose tissue, leads to systemic inflammation, and alters gene expression in the brain that causes pain sensitisation and mood disorders. The full effect of the disease is not fully recognised and goes far beyond the pelvis. Recognition of the full scope of the disease will facilitate clinical diagnosis and allow for more comprehensive treatment than currently available. Progestins and low-dose oral contraceptives are unsuccessful in a third of symptomatic women globally, probably as a result of progesterone resistance. Oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists constitute an effective and tolerable therapeutic alternative when first-line medications do not work. The development of GnRH antagonists has resulted in oral drugs that have fewer side-effects than other therapies and has allowed for rapid movement between treatments to optimise and personalise endometriosis care. In this Review, we discuss the latest understanding of endometriosis as a systemic disease with multiple manifestations outside the parameters of classic gynaecological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh S Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Alexander M Kotlyar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Valerie A Flores
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Chantalat E, Valera MC, Vaysse C, Noirrit E, Rusidze M, Weyl A, Vergriete K, Buscail E, Lluel P, Fontaine C, Arnal JF, Lenfant F. Estrogen Receptors and Endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082815. [PMID: 32316608 PMCID: PMC7215544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a frequent and chronic inflammatory disease with impacts on reproduction, health and quality of life. This disorder is highly estrogen-dependent and the purpose of hormonal treatments is to decrease the endogenous ovarian production of estrogens. High estrogen production is a consistently observed endocrine feature of endometriosis. mRNA and protein levels of estrogen receptors (ER) are different between a normal healthy endometrium and ectopic/eutopic endometrial lesions: endometriotic stromal cells express extraordinarily higher ERβ and significantly lower ERα levels compared with endometrial stromal cells. Aberrant epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation in endometriotic cells is associated with the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis. Although there is a large body of data regarding ERs in endometriosis, our understanding of the roles of ERα and ERβ in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains incomplete. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the links between endometriosis, ERs and the recent advances of treatment strategies based on ERs modulation. We will also attempt to summarize the current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of ERs and how this could pave the way to new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Chantalat
- IUCT Oncopole, 31100 Toulouse, France
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
| | - Marie-Cécile Valera
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Emmanuelle Noirrit
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
| | - Mariam Rusidze
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Etienne Buscail
- Department of Visceral Surgery, CHU Rangueil, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | | | - Coralie Fontaine
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-François Arnal
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
| | - Françoise Lenfant
- INSERM-UPS UMR U1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université de Toulouse, BP 84225, CEDEX 04, 31 432 Toulouse, France
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3
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Gheorghisan-Galateanu AA, Gheorghiu ML. HORMONAL THERAPY IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS: AN UPDATE. ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA-BUCHAREST 2019; 15:276-281. [PMID: 31508191 DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2019.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Medical therapy of endometriosis is under continuous reevaluation. Hereby we updated the drugs currently available or under investigation for the hormonal treatment of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Gheorghisan-Galateanu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Dept. of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histology, Bucharest, Romania.,"C.I. Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - M L Gheorghiu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Dept. of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.,"C.I. Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
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