World Endometriosis Society : Endometriosis Research Directions

A major challenge in endometriosis continues to be the lack of funding for endometriosis research, the isolation of programs within countries, inadequate communications among centres, and ineffeciencies of research when information and data are not shared.

Two initiatives will be kicked off at the 10th World Congress on Endometriosis to address this shortfall by introducing a two-pronged global strategy for endometriosis research:

1. Building consensus for research priorities

2. Developing international collaborative research networks

This global collaboration will ensure that:

• research is carried out in collaboration between international centres;
• data is shared;
• results are built upon;
• strict protocols are enforced to ensure that results are evidence based;
• results can be translated into viable treatments to provide a solution for those affected by endometriosis.

Proven international consensus and collaboration will enhance credibility whenever a researcher and/or centre apply for grants and are able to refer to scientifically approved research directions.

1. Building consensus for research priorities

A satellite meeting will be held on Saturday 15 March 2008 in Melbourne (09.00-17.00) with an objective to develop a consensus statement outlining research priorities in the field of endometriosis.

This consensus will be published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal and will form the basis of a “check list” for each future world congress on endometriosis, where researchers can take stock of progress and evaluate current/new areas, which need attention and prioritisation.

The meeting will be held as six workshops, where moderators will provide an overview of status quo and through workshop participation bring together the priorities for each of the six grouped topics:

a) Moderators: Grant Montgomery/Stephen Kennedy

• Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Cancer
• Aetiology

b) Moderators: Linda Giudice/Karen Berkley

• Resources for endometriosis research: centralised databases
• Multi-centre trials
• Role of environmental contaminants and endocrine disrupters in endometriosis
• Pathogenesis of pain in endometriosis
• Critical look at GnRH analogues (agonists, antagonists) in endo pain control
• Prevention of endometriosis - current focus is on treatment but by knowing cause(s), prevention would be possible
• The immune response in (women) with endometriosis

c) Moderator: Thomas D’Hooghe

• Cost
• Centres of excellence
• ESHRE guidelines
• Non-human primate models (together with Asgi)
• Non-hormonal medical treatment
• Peritoneal involvement
• Proteomics
• Retrograde menstruation

d) Moderator: Asgi Fazleabas

• Animal models including mouse, non-human primates
• Fertility/implantation
• Adhesions
• Mesothelium
• Progesterone resistance

e) Moderator: Lois Salamonson

• Cytokines, growth factors, proteases
• Biomarkers for endometriosis diagnosis
• Invasion, tissue remodelling
• Stem cells and clonality
• Immunology

f) Moderators: Peter Roger/Caroline Gargett

• Angiogenesis
• Genomics
• Inflammation
• Histology/pathology
• Stem cells and endometriosis

For more information and to secure a place at the workshop, please contact Peter Rogers.

This workshop is the result of collaboration between the World Endometriosis Society and the World Endometriosis Research Foundation with support from Monash Institute of Medical Research.

2. Developing international collaborative research networks

Following the agreeement on a consensus for future research directions in endometriosis, the goal is to establish international collaborative research networks covering different disciplines/topics.

These networks will be managed by the World Endometriosis Society, and will work in conjunction with the mission of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation.