Breakthrough blood test for endometriosis developed

Australian researchers have developed a novel test to diagnose endometriosis — a debilitating condition affecting one in nine Australian women and girls. Their breakthrough, described in the journal Human Reproduction, is a significant step towards providing women with a non-invasive test that can detect all stages of the disease.

A chronic condition affecting approximately 190 million women and teenage girls globally, endometriosis can cause severe pelvic pain, painful periods and infertility. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body where it does not belong.

The breakthrough blood test was developed by Proteomics International, a Perth-based medical technology company. In collaboration with The Royal Women’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne, the company’s scientists analysed plasma samples from 805 participants across two independent groups.

“We identified 10 protein biomarkers, or ‘fingerprints’ in the blood, that can be found using our test in women and girls with endometriosis,” said Proteomics International’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Lipscombe.

The blood test, called PromarkerEndo, shows excellent results in distinguishing healthy people and those who are symptomatic for the disease from those who actually have early stages of endometriosis; indeed, it can diagnose all stages of endometriosis with a high degree of accuracy. And while there is currently no known cure for endometriosis and treatment is usually aimed at controlling symptoms, access to early diagnosis and effective treatment is extremely important.

“Currently, it takes on average seven years for a woman to receive a diagnosis and during that time she is enduring significant life impacting symptoms, her years of fertility are reducing and the endometriosis is spreading,” said Peter Rogers, Research Director at The Royal Women’s Hospital and Professor of Women’s Health Research at The University of Melbourne.

“These results are a significant step towards solving the critical need for a non-invasive, accurate test that can diagnose endometriosis at an early stage as well as when it is more advanced.”

Lipscombe added, “PromarkerEndo could significantly reduce the cost and the amount of time typically spent on trying to solve the cause of symptoms suffered by women and girls over years, often from as early as when they start having periods.

“A blood test is more cost-effective for patients and the health system than the current use of ultrasounds, invasive laparoscopies, MRIs and biopsies to diagnose endometriosis, and work is underway to fortify the robustness and reliability of the new test for clinical use.”

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