Diagnosis of Endometriosis: Biomarkers and Clinical Methods

A topical collection in Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This collection belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

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Editor

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filippo Del Ponte” Hospital, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, VA, Italy
Interests: women’s health; minimally invasive procedures; up-to-date management; gynecology; reproductive health; surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like endometrial cells, glands, and stroma outside the uterus, causing a wide range of symptoms and signs, including acute and chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age, and up to 50% of infertile women. The etiopathogenesis of endometriosis still remains controversial: immune, hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic factors may be all involved, and several theories have been proposed to explain it.

One of the main problems for the management of endometriosis is the significant diagnostic delay: to date, several biomarkers are currently being tested in order to provide a reliable non-invasive diagnosis in case of symptoms and signs suspicious for endometriosis.

In addition, ultrasound techniques and magnetic resonance imaging are evolving rapidly, allowing for better accuracy, even with the use of artificial intelligence. Finally, new potential histological makers are helping to correlate the occurrence of endometriosis in different anatomical landmarks, supporting specific pathways to clarify the etiology of the disease.

This Topical Collection will publish reviews and original research about the diagnostics of endometriosis: in particular, we welcome articles about molecular, cellular and histological biomarkers; imaging techniques, including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and new invasive (surgical) techniques.

Dr. Antonio Simone Laganà
Collection Editor

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Keywords

  • Endometriosis
  • Diagnosis
  • Biomarkers
  • Ultrasound
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Invasive diagnosis

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (1 paper)

2021

13 pages, 296 KiB  
Review
Molecular and Clinical Insights on the Complex Interaction between Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Endobiota in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
by Bogdan Doroftei, Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie, Ioana-Miruna Balmus, Alin Ciobica, Radu Maftei, Ioana Scripcariu, Gabriela Simionescu, Delia Grab, Irina Stoian and Ciprian Ilea
Diagnostics 2021, 11(8), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11081434 - 09 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2141
Abstract
Endometriosis (EMS) remains, to date, an intriguing and debilitating gynecological disorder that possesses a multifactorial substrate. Recent studies with the objective of elucidating its etiology highlighted the antagonistic effect of EMS on a multiple of processes involved in homeostasis. Although the current oxidative [...] Read more.
Endometriosis (EMS) remains, to date, an intriguing and debilitating gynecological disorder that possesses a multifactorial substrate. Recent studies with the objective of elucidating its etiology highlighted the antagonistic effect of EMS on a multiple of processes involved in homeostasis. Although the current oxidative biomarkers clearly reveal the consequences induced by EMS, its implication in the associated inflammatory reactions could be much more complex. Besides the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that leads to an exacerbated oxidative response, it also changes the normal expression of several pro-inflammatory modulators, reflected by the fluctuating activity of several pro- and anti-apoptotic mediators whose expression is impaired. In light of this topic, several studies elucidate the involvement of apoptosis in EMS, being brought controversial findings, even reports with no significant change. Further, some authors reported an abnormal expression of multiple genes that are crucial for the overall functionality of the female reproductive system. Cumulatively, it seems that the subsequent oxidative imbalance and apoptosis process impairment could further disrupt the normal removal of unnecessary biological products. Based on all gathered evidence, we could argue that the related stress state could determine human endobiota impairment, which could further participate in the inflammatory and main antioxidant enzyme changes occurring in EMS. Moreover, a correlation between endobiota integrity, inflammation, and oxidative stress (OS) was suggested in relation to the possible predisposition to pathogen determined infections. Full article
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