News | Scientists Develop New Blood Test for Earlier Detection of Endometriosis
Australian scientists announced the development of a new blood test designed to diagnose endometriosis at an early stage. The condition affects 1 in 9 Australian women and girls. Published in the medical journal Human Reproduction, the findings describe a noninvasive test that may support earlier diagnosis and improve treatment prospects.
Addressing a Long-Standing Diagnostic Challenge
Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting about 190 million women and adolescent girls worldwide. It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and commonly causes severe pelvic pain, painful periods, and infertility. Current diagnosis often relies on ultrasound, invasive laparoscopy, MRI, and biopsy. These methods can be costly or invasive, while the new blood test may simplify diagnosis, especially at an early stage.
Professor Peter Rogers, professor of women’s health research at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, said: “This breakthrough offers hope for diagnosing a disease that severely reduces women’s quality of life. It currently takes women an average of seven years to receive a diagnosis. During that time, they endure severe symptoms while the disease progresses and their reproductive years pass.”
PromarkerEndo Offers Noninvasive Diagnosis
The blood test, called PromarkerEndo, was developed by Perth-based medical technology company Proteomics International. Working with the Royal Women’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne, researchers analyzed plasma samples from 805 participants and identified 10 protein biomarkers that form a “fingerprint” for detecting endometriosis.
The test can accurately distinguish healthy women, symptomatic patients without a diagnosis, and women with early-stage endometriosis, while costing significantly less than conventional diagnostic methods. Dr. Richard Lipscombe, managing director of Proteomics International, said: “This blood test is more cost-effective for patients and healthcare systems. Compared with current methods such as ultrasound, laparoscopic surgery, MRI, and biopsy, it will substantially reduce the time and cost of diagnosis.”
Earlier Diagnosis May Improve Treatment
Although there is no known cure for endometriosis and treatment generally focuses on symptom control, Professor Rogers emphasized that early diagnosis and effective treatment are important for improving outcomes. He said: “Detecting endometriosis early can expand treatment options and may improve patients’ response to laser excision or current medical therapies.”
Endometriosis is three times as common among women receiving fertility treatment as in the general population. The new blood test may help doctors identify the condition earlier and offer patients more treatment opportunities.
Potential for Broad Use
Endometriosis is estimated to cost the Australian economy up to 9.7 billion Australian dollars each year. The new blood test may help researchers and doctors reduce the condition’s effects on women’s lives while providing patients worldwide with a more convenient and effective diagnostic tool.
The findings were published online ahead of print for the January 2025 issue of Human Reproduction and indicate that PromarkerEndo can diagnose all stages of endometriosis with high accuracy.
News | Scientists Develop New Blood Test for Earlier Detection of Endometriosis
News | Scientists Develop New Blood Test for Earlier Detection of Endometriosis
Australian scientists announced the development of a new blood test designed to diagnose endometriosis at an early stage. The condition affects 1 in 9 Australian women and girls. Published in the medical journal Human Reproduction, the findings describe a noninvasive test that may support earlier diagnosis and improve treatment prospects.
Addressing a Long-Standing Diagnostic Challenge
Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting about 190 million women and adolescent girls worldwide. It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and commonly causes severe pelvic pain, painful periods, and infertility. Current diagnosis often relies on ultrasound, invasive laparoscopy, MRI, and biopsy. These methods can be costly or invasive, while the new blood test may simplify diagnosis, especially at an early stage.
Professor Peter Rogers, professor of women’s health research at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, said: “This breakthrough offers hope for diagnosing a disease that severely reduces women’s quality of life. It currently takes women an average of seven years to receive a diagnosis. During that time, they endure severe symptoms while the disease progresses and their reproductive years pass.”
PromarkerEndo Offers Noninvasive Diagnosis
The blood test, called PromarkerEndo, was developed by Perth-based medical technology company Proteomics International. Working with the Royal Women’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne, researchers analyzed plasma samples from 805 participants and identified 10 protein biomarkers that form a “fingerprint” for detecting endometriosis.
The test can accurately distinguish healthy women, symptomatic patients without a diagnosis, and women with early-stage endometriosis, while costing significantly less than conventional diagnostic methods. Dr. Richard Lipscombe, managing director of Proteomics International, said: “This blood test is more cost-effective for patients and healthcare systems. Compared with current methods such as ultrasound, laparoscopic surgery, MRI, and biopsy, it will substantially reduce the time and cost of diagnosis.”
Earlier Diagnosis May Improve Treatment
Although there is no known cure for endometriosis and treatment generally focuses on symptom control, Professor Rogers emphasized that early diagnosis and effective treatment are important for improving outcomes. He said: “Detecting endometriosis early can expand treatment options and may improve patients’ response to laser excision or current medical therapies.”
Endometriosis is three times as common among women receiving fertility treatment as in the general population. The new blood test may help doctors identify the condition earlier and offer patients more treatment opportunities.
Potential for Broad Use
Endometriosis is estimated to cost the Australian economy up to 9.7 billion Australian dollars each year. The new blood test may help researchers and doctors reduce the condition’s effects on women’s lives while providing patients worldwide with a more convenient and effective diagnostic tool.
The findings were published online ahead of print for the January 2025 issue of Human Reproduction and indicate that PromarkerEndo can diagnose all stages of endometriosis with high accuracy.
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