Immunology and Immunotherapy of Endometriosis.
Radosław B MaksymMarta Hoffmann-MłodzianowskaMilena SkibińskaMichal RabijewskiAndrzej MackiewiczClaudine KiedaPublished in: Journal of clinical medicine (2021)
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological and systemic diseases, with a remarkable immune background. Patients suffer from pain and fertility reduction. Due to the distinct immune component, an immunotherapeutic approach may gain importance in the future. In endometriosis, shifts in the cell fractions of the immune system are well known. Moreover, hypoxia concomitant with inflammation causes a disturbed immune response. The removal of endometriosis has a therapeutic effect, normalizes the immune disorders, and remains the most effective causative treatment in terms of pain and infertility. A key issue is whether a similar effect can be achieved for fertility with non-invasive immunotherapy where surgery is inadvisable or cannot be performed for various reasons. Numerous immunotherapy trials, including vaccines, were conducted on animals only, although the research is encouraging. Among the promising methods of non-specific immunotherapy is the administration of an ethiodized oil contrast. Moreover, due to the significant successes of immunotherapy in oncology, the possibility of immunotherapy affecting NK cells has been postulated. NK cells are responsible for the surveillance and apoptosis of ectopic cells. Expanding the arsenal of endometriosis treatment by immunotherapy is promising due to the significant contribution of immunological factors and the limitations of current treatment methods.
Keyphrases
- nk cells
- immune response
- oxidative stress
- chronic pain
- end stage renal disease
- public health
- pain management
- palliative care
- chronic kidney disease
- minimally invasive
- stem cells
- ejection fraction
- computed tomography
- magnetic resonance
- newly diagnosed
- cell therapy
- inflammatory response
- spinal cord injury
- magnetic resonance imaging
- bone marrow
- skeletal muscle
- atrial fibrillation
- dendritic cells
- percutaneous coronary intervention
- surgical site infection