University of Queensland researchers have demonstrated a genetic link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer subtypes enabling them to identify potential drug targets for therapy and increasing the understanding of both diseases.
Previous studies have shown that endometriosis sufferers have a slightly increased risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer.
Dr Sally Mortlock and Professor Grant Montgomery from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience carried out a large genetic study to identify a genetic basis for this risk with a view to better understand the biological overlap between these reproductive disorders.
“More information about how they develop, their associated risk factors, and the pathways shared between endometriosis and different types of ovarian cancer has been needed,” Dr Mortlock said.
Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating disease that affects the health of 1 in 9 women of reproductive age, where tissue similar to the uterus lining grows in other parts of the body, causing pain and infertility.
“Our research shows that individuals carrying certain genetic markers that predispose them to having endometriosis also have a higher risk of certain epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes, namely clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer.”
Dr Mortlock (pictured right) said that although the diseases are genetically linked, the risk of ovarian cancer for those with endometriosis is not substantially increased.
The collaboration also involved Associate Professor Kate Lawrenson at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Dr Siddhartha P. Kar from the University of Bristol.
The study was published in Cell Reports Medicine.