What is endometriosis?

Erin: "Endometriosis is the growth of tissue like the lining of the uterus (endometrium) outside of the uterus, as endometriosis lesions.

It's a common, chronic disorder affecting around one in 10 reproductive-age women (190 million worldwide), and it can cause debilitating pain, infertility and chronic inflammation, with many women waiting years for a diagnosis. The average diagnostic delay is eight years.

However, despite being such a common disorder, it remains misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and with limited choices for management of symptoms. Research into endometriosis has not kept pace with other conditions (contributing to the gender health gap), leaving millions with few options and little hope."

Right: Dr Erin Greaves, Warwick Medical School (WMS)

Tell us about the Greaves Research Lab...

Erin: "The Greaves Lab is dedicated to finding new ways to treat and diagnose endometriosis. Our research spans discovery science through preclinical and clinical testing, and our vision is to rapidly translate our discoveries into real world solutions that will improve the lives of millions of women.

One major focus for our research group is the immune system’s role in driving the disease. We’re very interested in macrophages, which are immune cells that encourage endometriosis lesions to grow. We’ve found that we can reprogram these cells, shifting them from a disease-promoting state to a healing state. Using a macrophage-modifying drug in our preclinical model shows promising results in resolving endometriosis lesions and decreasing pain.

Boosting overall understanding of the immune system’s role in disease progression will help targeted immunotherapies to be developed, offering more effective treatment options and significantly improving the quality of life for those affected."

What's one thing you wish everyone knew about endometriosis?

Erin: "Endometriosis should be recognised as a multisystem disorder that goes beyond just gynaecological symptoms, affecting various organs such as the gastrointestinal, urinary, and the nervous systems. As research on endometriosis expands, it's essential to consider its broader impacts and potential overlap with other chronic conditions."

Thinking ahead to the future, what's your hope or goal for treatment of this disease?

Erin:

• "That we can take a precision medicine approach to selecting non-hormonal medications (including different forms of immunotherapy) for treatment of endometriosis.
• That women have way more choices about how they manage their endo.
• That diagnosis takes two weeks instead of eight years (I’m convinced menstrual blood could be the way forward for this!)."