title: Recent advances in the understanding of endometriosis: the role of inflammatory mediators in disease pathogenesis and treatment.
abstract: In this review, we focus on recent advancements in our understanding of the roles of inflammatory mediators in endometriosis pathophysiology and the potential for improved therapies based upon targeting these pathways. We review the association between endometriosis and inflammation and the initial promise of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies based upon experimental evidence, and how and why these studies have not translated to the clinic. We then discuss emerging data on the role of inter-relationship among macrophage migration inhibitory factor, prostaglandin E 2, and estrogen receptor-beta, and the potential utility of targeting these factors in endometriosis treatment. In doing so, we highlight the strengths and discuss the current research on identification of novel, anti-inflammatory-based therapy and the necessity to expand experimental endpoints to include clinically relevant measures when assessing the efficacy of potential new therapies for endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nothnick
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Zahraa
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alali
keywords: endometriosis; estrogen receptor-beta; prostaglandin E2