HMN 2025: How Non-invasive blood test promises early detection of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects approximately 190 million women and adolescent girls worldwide. This can cause severe pelvic pain, painful periods and infertility. This happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body where it does not belong.

Australian researchers have developed a new test to diagnose the debilitating disease which affects one in nine Australian women and girls.

The breakthrough, published in the magazine Human reproductionis an important step toward providing women with a non-invasive test that can detect the early stages of the disease.

Professor Peter Rogers, Director of Research at the Royal Women’s Hospital and Professor of Women’s Health Research at the University of Melbourne, said: “This breakthrough represents an exciting step forward in the diagnosis of this debilitating disease. »

“Currently, it takes an average of seven years for a woman to receive a diagnosis and during this time she experiences significant symptoms that can impact her life, her fertile years decline and endometriosis spreads.

“These results are an important step toward addressing the critical need for a non-invasive and accurate test that can diagnose endometriosis at an early stage as well as at a more advanced stage,” he said. The test was developed by Proteomics International, a Perth-based medical technology company.

In collaboration with the Royal Women’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne, scientists analyzed plasma samples from 805 participants divided into two independent groups.

Proteomics International Managing Director, Dr Richard Lipscombe, said: “We have identified 10 protein biomarkers, or ‘fingerprints’ in the blood, which can be found using our test in women and girls with endometriosis.

“The blood test, called PromarkerEndo, could significantly reduce the cost and time typically spent trying to resolve the cause of the symptoms women and girls suffer over the years, often from the start of their periods.

“A blood test is more cost-effective for patients and the healthcare system than the current use of ultrasound, invasive laparoscopies, MRIs and biopsies to diagnose endometriosis, and work is underway to increase the robustness and reliability of the new test for clinical use. “

Endometriosis is estimated to cost Australia $9.7 billion each year. Blood testing shows excellent results in distinguishing healthy people from those who have symptoms of the disease from those who actually have early stages of endometriosis.

Although there is currently no known cure for endometriosis and treatment is usually aimed at controlling symptoms, Professor Rogers said access to early diagnosis and effective treatment of endometriosis is important .

“Early detection of endometriosis increases treatment options and may improve a patient’s response to laser ablation or currently used medical therapies.

“Among healthy women undergoing fertility treatments, the incidence of endometriosis is three times higher,” Professor Rogers said.

Provided by Proteomics International Laboratories Limited