Project Details
Description
Uterine leiomyomas, also known as fibroids, disrupt uterine function and cause recurrent pregnancy loss, excessive uterine bleeding, and anemia in 15-30% of all reproductive-age U.S. women. There are few medical treatments available for leiomyomas, and many women opt to undergo hysterectomy. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms as to how leiomyomas develop is essential for identifying new non-surgical treatments.We expect to identify new therapeutic targets to help prevent these tumors and reduce their size and associated symptoms.
Five to ten million US women are estimated to suffer from endometriosis that causes pelvic pain and infertility. After standard treatments, symptoms usually recur within 6 months to 2 years; thus, there is a clear need for research. Here, we focus on mechanisms conferring resistance to natural death of endometriosis tissue due to specific deficiencies in steroid hormone and retinoic acid production and action. Uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying endometriosis may eventually lead to development of new therapeutic compounds that interact with novel targets. Unraveling the epigenetic origins of endometriosis may lead to the development of prevention strategies to lower the incidence of the disease in future generations.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 1/1/17 → 12/31/19 |
Funding
- Koç Education, Culture and Healthcare Foundation (Agmt 01/11/17)
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