title: Innovations in classical hormonal targets for endometriosis.
abstract: Endometriosis is a chronic disease of unknown etiology that affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age. Several evidences show that endometriosis lesions are associated to hormonal imbalance, including estrogen synthesis, metabolism and responsiveness and progesterone resistance. These hormonal alterations influence the ability of endometrial cells to proliferate, migrate and to infiltrate the mesothelium, causing inflammation, pain and infertility. Hormonal imbalance in endometriosis represents also a target for treatment. We provide an overview on therapeutic strategies based on innovations of classical hormonal mechanisms involved in the development of endometriosis lesions. The development phase of new molecules targeting these pathways is also discussed. Endometriosis is a chronic disease involving young women and additional biological targets of estrogen and progesterone pharmacological manipulation (brain, bone and cardiovascular tissue) need to be carefully considered in order to improve and overcome current limits of long-term medical management of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University Hospital of Geneva , Geneva , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pluchino
authors.affiliation: b Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University Hospital of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Freschi
authors.affiliation: a Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University Hospital of Geneva , Geneva , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wenger
authors.affiliation: a Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University Hospital of Geneva , Geneva , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Streuli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015195:Drug Design; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000002:abnormalities; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014591:Uterine Diseases
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone
keywords: Endometriosis; SERMs; SPRMs; estrogen; hormonal therapy; progesterone