New drug for endometriosis could offer ‘breakthrough’ in treatment, scientists say

New drug for endometriosis could offer ‘breakthrough’ in treatment, scientists say Scientists have moved forward in treating the disease, which affects one in 10 women worldwide, with early testing - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A new treatment for endometriosis might finally be on the horizon, according to new research. The debilitating disease is characterised by severe, chronic pelvic pain and fertility issues when tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside it and forms lesions. For the 190 million people the World Health Organisation estimates are living with the condition, current medical options fall desperately short. Patients are forced to choose between invasive surgeries to strip out lesions or hormone therapies that trigger menopause-like side effects, including osteoporosis, depression, and infertility. Even after gold-standard surgery, nearly half of patients see their symptoms return within five years, according to data from the National Institutes of Health in the US. Now, scientists have engineered a novel targeted drug by adapting niclosamide – an anti-parasitic medication historically used to treat tapeworm. While niclosamide’s anti-inflammatory properties have long shown promise, the raw drug is poorly absorbed by the human body and causes severe nausea when taken orally, restricting its safe usage to just seven days at a time. To overcome this, scientists attached niclosamide to microscopic, water-soluble carriers known as dendrimers, measuring less than eight nanometres long. By grafting folic acid onto the compound, they ensured it specifically targeted the disease-causing immune cells, called macrophages, that fuel endometrial lesions. In the study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, researchers tested the modified medication on mice. The targeted treatment shrank lesion sizes, reduced pain sensitivity, and drastically lowered the presence of disease-causing cells. Crucially, the targeted delivery meant the drug remained effective inside cells for at least two weeks, opening the door to more convenient options for fortnightly or monthly injections. If replicated in human trials, the discovery could offer a major "breakthrough" in non-hormonal, non-surgical care, according to study co-author Dr Kanako Hayashi, a reproductive biologist at Washington State University. Dr Elise Courtois, a molecular biologist at the Jackson Laboratory, hailed the findings as a “beautiful first step” toward desperately needed alternatives. Laura Jones, who has endometriosis, recently told The Independent: “Sometimes I wish I could have a different body, step out of my brain. But this is real. No one is coming to save me; I have to find my own way out. “I feel like a broken person. I can’t believe people walk around not in pain. It is wild to me.” Walking has become so difficult for the 32-year-old that she now relies on a walking stick, something she “never thought” she would have to use at her age. For the one in 10 women worldwide like Ms Jones who have the condition, the results of the study could be life-changing. While mouse models represent an early stage of research, the demand among patients is overwhelming. Dr Hayashi revealed she has already been inundated with messages from people with the condition who are eager to join future clinical trials. “They are really willing to do anything to improve their situation,” she said. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments