Novel targets for the treatment of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is an enigmatic, debilitating disease that affects up to 15% of all women of reproductive age. It is characterised by pelvic pain and infertility. Current treatment regimens control the disease by inducing a hypoestrogenic state. Although the absence of circulating oestrogen levels leads to a regression of the disease, this hypoestrogenism also induces many unpleasant side effects. As such, these and other shortcomings of current drug therapies emphasise their limitations and the necessity for the development of novel endometriosis treatments. In this review, current therapies for medical management of endometriosis are discussed, as are their shortcomings. Potential target areas that may be attractive alternatives to current therapies are also reviewed. Emphasis is placed upon the emerging research using TNF inhibitors, their potential benefits over current treatment regimens and the development of future potential therapeutic targets.
University of Kansas, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. wnothnic@kumc.edu
Warren B
WB
Nothnick
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D015195:Drug Design; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D017273:Goserelin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017273:Goserelin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D016729:Leuprolide