Erin Greaves, Associate Professor, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick said:

“Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and people assigned female at birth (190 million worldwide), yet it remains misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and with limited choices for management of symptoms. It causes debilitating pain, infertility, and chronic inflammation, with many women waiting years (8 years on average) for a diagnosis. Despite its impact, research into endometriosis has not kept pace with other conditions (contributing to the gender health gap), leaving millions with few options and little hope.

“A major focus of the research group is the immune system’s role in driving the disease, particularly macrophages - immune cells that become disease modified and help endometriosis lesions grow, encouraging formation of blood vessels and infiltration of nerve fibres, as well as activation of nerves, worsening pain. But we can reprogram these cells, shifting them from a disease-promoting to a healing state. Our preclinical data using a macrophage-modifying drug shows promising results in resolving endometriosis lesions and decreasing pain.

“Endometriosis is a serious and often debilitating disorder that demands greater attention. Increasing awareness is essential to drive earlier diagnosis, challenge the normalisation of women’s pain, reduce stigma, and advocate for the critical research funding needed. Advancing our understanding of the immune system’s role in disease progression will enable the development of targeted immunotherapies, offering more effective treatment options and significantly improving the quality of life for those affected.”