Angiogenic factors in endometriosis

Robert N. Taylor, Dan I. Lebovic, Michael D. Mueller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

276 Scopus citations

Abstract

Similar to tumor metastases, endometriotic implants require neovascularization to establish, grow, and invade. The peritoneal environment is ideally suited to provide a proangiogenic milieu. Nevertheless, endometriotic lesions are found only in a minority of reproductive-age women (∼10%) with retrograde menstruation. In this paper, we review the major cytokines, growth factors, steroid hormones, and eicosanoids responsible for angiogenesis in endometriosis. We postulate that interference with angiogenic principles expressed in the peritoneum may constitute novel therapeutic opportunities for the prevention, amelioration, or treatment of pelvic endometriosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)89-100
Number of pages12
JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume955
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Cytokines
  • Estrogen receptors
  • Neovascularization
  • Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Angiogenic factors in endometriosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this