Angiogenesis: a new theory for endometriosis

Excessive endometrial angiogenesis is proposed as an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, Evidence is reviewed for the hypothesis that the endometrium of women with endometriosis has an increased capacity to proliferate, implant and grow in the peritoneal cavity, Data is summari zed indicating that the endometrium of patients with endometriosis shows en hanced endothelial cell proliferation. Results are also reviewed indicating that the cell adhesion molecule integrin alpha(v)beta(3) is expressed in m ore blood vessels in the endometrium of women with endometriosis when compa red with normal women, Taken together, these results provide evidence for i ncreased endometrial angiogenesis in women with endometriosis when compared with normal subjects. Endometriosis is one of the family of angiogenic dis eases, Other angiogenic diseases include solid tumours, rheumatoid arthriti s, psoriasis and diabetic retanopathy, Excessive endometrial angiogenesis s uggests novel new medical treatments for endometriosis aimed at the inhibit ion of angiogenesis.