Invention:
Adenomyosis and endometriosis, both gynecological conditions, lack clear diagnostic guidelines, making early detection and treatment challenging. Current efforts by University of Arizona researchers are focused on addressing this gap, aiming to develop a non-invasive method for detecting adenomyosis and endometriosis, and possible related causes of infertility. Preliminary studies have shown that urine sampling could detect disease related metabolites and proteins to be used as candidate biomarkers in the cervicovaginal environment for a non-invasive adenomyosis and endometriosis diagnostic. This method could easily allow for early detection without the need for invasive surgical procedures. It has the potential to improve patient care, enable earlier interventions, and allow for personalized treatment options based on a more definitive diagnosis.
Background:
Adenomyosis and endometriosis, both of which are significant causes of chronic pelvic pain and infertility in women, are difficult to diagnose due to lack of clear etiology and clinical/pathological phenotyping, no established diagnostic guidelines, and co-occurrence with other gynecological conditions. Adenomyosis is currently only definitively diagnosed through histopathology after a hysterectomy, a highly invasive procedure and endometriosis also often requires surgical intervention for diagnosis. These limitations lead to delayed or missed diagnoses, as well as prolonged suffering for patients who experience symptoms without a clear cause. There is no FDA-approved noninvasive diagnostic method for either condition, creating an urgent need for improved screening options. This urine-based non-invasive diagnostic method addresses an unmet need for better adenomyosis and endometriosis identification.
Applications:
- Diagnostic for adenomyosis and endometriosis
- Gynecology
- Reproductive health
Advantages:
- Non-invasive diagnostic
- Reduces the need for surgical diagnostic procedures
- Faster diagnosis, enabling earlier detection and treatment
- More definitive diagnosis
- Addresses an unmet diagnostic need in women’s health
