Since January 13, 2022, endometriosis has been recognized as a long-term condition (ALD) by Health Insurance. A recognition that will facilitate the daily life of the 10% of French women suffering from this chronic gynecological disease. At the same time, research is making it possible to learn a little more regarding the mechanisms and consequences of this disease. Recently, researchers have shown an increased risk of certain forms of ovarian cancer. Explanations.
Endometriosis and ovarian cancer
L’endometriosis is a gynecological pathology, which is characterized by the abnormal development of uterine tissue inside and outside the genital sphere. The consequences of the disease vary according to the severity of the attack, but among the best known are:
- Pain during menstruation;
- The decline in fertility, or even a infertility.
Researchers are taking a close interest in this disease, which affects a large proportion of women of childbearing age. They have a strong interest in its causes and mechanisms. Recently, researchers conducted a genetic study aimed at evaluating the possible causal link between endometriosis and certain forms of ovarian cancer. To this end, they conducted a meta-analysis on 15,000 women with endometriosis and 25,000 patients with cancer of the ovarian epithelium.
A higher risk of ovarian cancer
Analysis of genomic data revealed that women with endometriosis had an increased risk of developing certain forms of ovarian cancer. Although the overall risk of ovarian cancer in women with endometriosis remained low. Genomic analysis also enabled the researchers to identify 28 genetic markers associated with the two pathologies.
Among these 28 markers, 19 were involved in the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. From a statistical analysis of the data, the researchers assessed that women with these 19 genetic markers have a 2.6 times higher risk than others of developing ovarian cancer.
Towards new therapeutic targets
Finally, the analysis of the transcription of the genes concerned reveals several target genes of the uterine and ovarian tissues implicated in endometriosis and ovarian cancer. This new study sheds interesting light on the mechanisms behind endometriosis. Without becoming a subject of concern for the very many women with endometriosis, because the risk of cancer remains generally low.
The identification of these genes offers the possibility of new therapeutic strategies for women with endometriosis or ovarian cancer. Thus, drugs might be designed to:
- On the one hand, to fight once morest the progression of endometriotic lesions;
- On the other hand to prevent the development of ovarian cancerous lesions.
This is an important advance for the understanding and treatment of this chronic disease. To which the attention of researchers and doctors has only recently focused.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
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