Proteomic analysis of serum yields six candidate proteins that are differentially regulated in a subset of women with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE

To identify potential novel biomarkers that differ between subjects with and without endometriosis and that might aid in developing a noninvasive, serum-based diagnostic test.

DESIGN

Case-control evaluation of a diagnostic test.

SETTING

University medical center.

PATIENT(S): Consenting women of reproductive age undergoing laparoscopy for indications of pain, infertility, elective tubal ligation, tubal reanastomosis, or other benign indication.

INTERVENTION(S): Diagnostic laparoscopy and peripheral venipuncture.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Concentrations of low-molecular-weight proteins in serum; surgical staging of endometriosis.

RESULT(S): Six proteins were found that were differentially expressed between those with and without disease and that had good diagnostic properties. Taken together in a two-step diagnostic algorithm, we were able to diagnose 55% of subjects, with 99% accuracy as to the status of disease. Further combining this algorithm with that derived by our previous study of serum putative markers (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, migration inhibitory factor, leptin, and CA-125) improved our diagnostic capability to 73% of subjects, with 94% overall accuracy.

CONCLUSION(S): This study is the critical first step in the identification of potential novel biomarkers of endometriosis. Future identification of the proteins and further validation in a second population is needed before applying these findings in clinical practice.