Endometriosis and the potential role of biomarkers in its diagnosis and treatment: A narrative review

Abstract

Lesions originating from endometrial tissue in extrauterine organs such as pelvic peritoneum, ovaries and intestines are called endometriosis. This condition, which is related to infertility, is associated with chronic pain in most women. Although the exact cause of this condition has not yet been fully determined, the immunological, hormonal and neurological factors are involved in the mechanisms that cause its symptoms. The gold standard method for diagnosing this disease is laparoscopy, which, due to its invasiveness nature, delays the diagnosis of this disease by 7-11 years, and may lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, there is always a need for non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of the disease. In this review, the diagnostic value of MicroRNAs (MiRs) in endometriosis was discussed. The expression of a number of MiRs in the tissue and serum of patients with endometriosis increases for various reasons, and the rapid investigation of these biomarkers can help in the early and non-invasive diagnosis of this disease by preventing harmful complications. In general, although it is difficult to identify genes that are related to endometriosis, it can be very helpful in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment management of this disease. In this narrative review, at first, the classification and investigation of clinical symptoms as well as some hypotheses about the cause of endometriosis are examined, and finally, some biomarkers that have acceptable sensitivity and characteristics for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis are introduced.