Molecular Studies of Endometriosis and Associated Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Endometriosis is a common condition, impacting approximately 190 million women, girls and those presumed female at birth. While classically considered a gynecological condition, endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic disease that demonstrates short- and long-term detrimental consequences on the whole body. Endometriosis symptomology may include pelvic pain that is cyclical or non-cyclical in nature, heavy menstrual bleeding, infertility, gastrointestinal disturbance, nausea, migraine and or fatigue. It has massive socioeconomical costs for individuals, including financial pressures, absenteeism and reduced quality of life.

Endometriosis is a complex disease, meaning that both environmental and genetic factors play a role in its etiology. Other complexities add weight to the burden of the condition: the exact cause of endometriosis remains to be determined, with several plausible theories existing; both symptom presentation and responsiveness to treatments are extremely heterogenous; there is no definitive cure; non-invasive diagnostic tests are lacking; and people with endometriosis frequently present with other comorbid diseases or are at risk of developing other diseases.

Previous research has shown that individuals with endometriosis will often have several comorbid conditions, which may be directly or indirectly related to endometriosis, including (but not limited to) adenomyosis, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and mood disorders. The co-existence of multiple conditions can lead to the misdiagnosis or diagnostic delay of endometriosis. It is also recognized that a diagnosis of endometriosis may increase a person’s risk of developing other chronic or life-threatening conditions, including autoimmune diseases, ovarian cancer and cardiometabolic diseases (like cardiovascular disease or stroke). This Special Issue aims to explore the latest studies that improve our understanding of the molecular pathways involved in endometriosis and its associated diseases.

We are encouraging the submission of original research papers and review papers that describe “Molecular Studies of Endometriosis and Associated Diseases”.

Papers that highlight the translational potential of molecular research to clinical applications (including novel technologies that identify new disease biomarkers and diagnostics) are also welcome.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• New insights into the molecular and genomic mechanisms of endometriosis and its associated diseases demonstrating causal relationships, similarities and associations.
• Research studies applying cutting-edge emerging technologies (for example, ‘omics and multi-omics platforms) or the repurposing of existing technologies and methodologies, not previously employed in the setting of endometriosis.
• New discovery research studying the molecular biomarkers and profiling of endometriosis and associated diseases, including the exploration and comparisons of different phenotypes of disease.
• Pre-clinical research, including in vitro and animal models, that tests new potential therapies or diagnostics for endometriosis and its associated diseases.

Dr. Sarah J Holdsworth-Carson
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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