As part of our research spotlight update, EUmetriosis research teams are sharing what they’re working on, what they want patients to know about their research, common misconceptions and what might surprise patients about their research.
Our first research spotlight update features the research team from the Medical University of Lublin, led by professors Iwona Wertel and Marek Gogacz. Their research focuses on understanding how the immune system may contribute to the development and persistence of endometriosis.
What do you want patients to know/understand about your research?
The immune system is very complex, and understanding its role in endometriosis takes time and intensive research. However, the research team are using the newest technologies to discover the complex puzzles in how the disease starts and develops. Their work continuously provides new insights that may improve patient care.
Are there any common misconceptions patients have about endometriosis and/or endometriosis research?
At present, endometriosis is widely considered an incurable disease. However, we believe that a deeper understanding of endometriosis may lead to breakthroughs in treatment and significantly improve therapeutic outcomes. Our research team aims to contribute to developing the knowledge and help identify new opportunities for more effective management of endometriosis.
What is one thing about your research that might surprise patients?
Endometriosis is recognised as a systemic disease, and the immune system appears to play a much greater role in its pathogenesis than we previously thought. Immune cells express molecules on their surface that regulate their activity. Interestingly, both insufficient or overexpression of these molecules may impair immune cell function, leading to changed activity of the immune system.
Our research team focuses on understanding altered immune responses in patients with endometriosis, particularly related to changes in the expression of these molecules on the surface of immune cells. By studying this, we aim to gain a more of an understanding of endometriosis and identify potential treatments designed to target the immune response in the future.
Read more: Meet the EUmetriosis Team: Medical University of Lublin