Diagnosing and Treating Infertility

SLU ID 14-017 | Methods for Treating Endometriosis-Related Infertility

Background

Endometriosis is a disease in which the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, typically on the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissue. In rare cases it may also grow in other parts of the body. Some experts estimate that up to 10 percent of women worldwide are affected by the disease, which usually occurs in their thirties and forties but can begin in girls as young as 8 years of age. While it rarely results in death, it often causes pain, infertility, and several quality of life issues. There is also an association between endometriosis and several types of cancer including ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and brain cancer. Currently, there is no cure for endometriosis and it can take as many as 7 years from the time of first symptoms until a firm diagnosis.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed methods for treating infertility, particularly endometriosis-related infertility. The protocol involves administering an agent that suppresses or blocks S1P or S1P receptor biological activity. They have also identified potential bio-markers that might be used in a non-invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis.

Benefits

The potential benefits of this technology include:

• Minimizing the time required to diagnose endometriosis after onset of symptoms

• Minimizing the risk of misdiagnosis

• Increasing the accuracy of endometriosis diagnosis

• Minimizing infertility caused by endometriosis

• Increasing the effectiveness of treatments

• Minimizing the invasive nature of treatments

Applications

This technology has several potential applications including:

• Treating infertility caused by endometriosis

• Treating unexplained infertility

• Treatments to slow the progression of endometriosis

• Testing for endometriosis

Opportunity

Saint Louis University is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize this technology.