Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in endometriosis: a potentially effective approach for treatment and prevention.

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent disease associated with infertility and pelvic pain. Endometriosis is defined by the presence of extra-uterine endometrial tissue. It affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women. However, the underlying etiology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology remain to be fully elucidated. Knowledge of these factors is indispensable for the development of targeted therapies for prevention and treatment of endometriosis. Several studies, including those from our laboratory, have suggested that aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may be involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. This is a review of the literature focused on the aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in patients with endometriosis, and on how targeting the Wnt/targeting pathway may be a potentially effective approach for treating and/or preventing endometriosis.