Novel diagnostic options for endometriosis – Based on the glycome and microbiome

Zsuzsanna Kovács, Louise Glover, Fiona Reidy, John MacSharry, Radka Saldova
Journal of advanced research · 2021 · vol. 33 , pp. 167–181 · doi:10.1016/j.jare.2021.01.015 · PMID:34603787 · W3127062024
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This review summarizes minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic methods for endometriosis, focusing on the diagnostic potential of novel microbial and glycan biomarkers.

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Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disease whose aetiology is still unknown. Despite its prevalence among women of reproductive age, the pathology of the disease has not yet been elucidated and only symptomatic treatment is available. Endometriosis has high latency and diagnostic methods are both limited and invasive. Aim of review: The aim of this review is to summarise minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic methods for endometriosis and their diagnostic efficiencies. Furthermore, we discuss the identification and diagnostic potential of novel disease biomarkers of microbial or glycan origin. Key scientific concepts of review: Great efforts have been made to develop minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic methods in endometriosis. The problem with most potential biomarker candidates is that they have high accuracy only in cases of severe disease. Therefore, it is necessary to examine other potential biomarkers more closely. Associations between gastrointestinal and genital tract microbial health and endometriosis have been identified. For instance, irritable bowel syndrome is more common in women with endometriosis, and hormonal imbalance has a negative impact on the microbiome of both the genital tract and the gastrointestinal system. Further interrogation of these associations may have potential diagnostic significance and may identify novel therapeutic avenues. Glycomics may also be a potent source of biomarkers of endometriosis, with a number of glyco-biomarkers already approved by the FDA. Endometriosis-associated microbial and glycomic profiles may represent viable targets for development of innovative diagnostics in this debilitating disease.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisirritable_bowel_syndrome

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Microbiota Biomarkers Female Humans

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Cited by (24)

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