Fw: Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

[Guest guest]

From: " ilena rose " <ilena@...>

Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 9:23 PM

Subject: Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

> Thanks, KKJ ~ " Toxic Discovery Network "

<toxicdiscovery@...>

>

>

>

http://womenshealth.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/09/09.07/20010906clin001.

html

>

>

> Endometriosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease

>

> WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Sept 06 - Immunomodulating therapy may be

an

> alternative to traditional estrogens as a treatment for endometriosis.

>

> Dr. Warren B. Nothnick, of the University of Kansas Medical Center in

> Kansas City, says that in a review of the literature he found

> " overwhelming evidence " of a role for immunologic factors, particularly

> cytokines, in the pathophysiology and etiology of endometriosis.

>

> In particular, he says, research results show that levels of tumor

necrosis

> factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are elevated in patients with endometriosis.

Given

> the success of TNF-alpha inhibitors in treating other immunologic

> disorders, Dr. Nothnick proposes examining these therapies as an option

> for treating endometriosis.

>

> Disturbed levels of other cytokines, cell apoptosis, and T- and B-cell

> abnormalities have also been observed in patients with endometriosis, he

> notes in the August issue of Fertility and Sterility.

>

> " What we as researchers and physicians need to be aware of is that many

> factors and pathways can contribute to the growth and progression of

> endometriosis and the cytokines may be one commonality among these factors

> or pathways, " Dr. Nothnick told Reuters Health.

>

> While for now there is only a small amount of evidence to support an

> immunologic approach to treating endometriosis, he believes " we need to

> explore all possibilities and take advantage of today's technologies. "

> " A treatment that could suppress the disease and its symptoms

independently

> of compromising a women's reproductive cyclicity would hold great

promise, "

> he noted.

>

> Fertil Steril 2001;76:223-231.

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>

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