Breakthrough Blood Test Diagnoses Endometriosis Without Surgery

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Jan 2025

Image: The plasma protein biomarker panel identifies all stages of endometriosis with high accuracy (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Endometriosis is a common and often painful condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain and causing female infertility. Affecting 1 in 9 women and girls, endometriosis results in chronic pain that significantly impacts quality of life. This condition, affecting millions globally, often takes an average of seven years to be diagnosed. Currently, there is no simple test to diagnose endometriosis. The gold standard for diagnosis is an invasive laparoscopy, followed by histopathology, a surgical procedure in which a camera is inserted into the pelvis through a small abdominal incision, and a biopsy is then taken for analysis. In a breakthrough for endometriosis diagnosis, a new study has discovered a promising panel of 10 plasma protein biomarkers that could transform the detection of this debilitating disease.

Proteomics International (Nedlands, WA, Australia) has published new findings from the study, revealing that their PromarkerEndo blood test can accurately diagnose all stages of endometriosis. This innovative test uses protein biomarkers—distinct "fingerprints" in the blood—to screen for the condition. The PromarkerEndo test is designed for early screening to help determine whether invasive surgery is necessary. The study analyzed plasma samples from 805 participants across two independent clinical groups, comparing cases of endometriosis with general population controls and symptomatic controls. Advanced proteomics and statistical modeling were used to develop three diagnostic models. The standout, Model 3, was able to distinguish severe endometriosis from symptomatic controls with near-perfect accuracy and also demonstrated strong diagnostic performance in earlier stages of the disease.

These new findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Human Reproduction, expand upon previous studies that highlighted the test's potential for diagnosing advanced endometriosis stages in independent patient groups. This research represents a significant step toward a precise, non-invasive diagnostic method for endometriosis, offering earlier and simpler diagnosis compared to current standards. A blood test that can distinguish healthy women from those with endometriosis could have valuable applications in fertility, as women with endometriosis undergoing fertility treatments have a three-fold higher incidence of the condition. Further clinical validation of these biomarkers will enhance the reliability and robustness of this diagnostic tool, enabling its use in clinical practice and offering improved care for individuals with endometriosis.

“The integration of the PromarkerEndo blood test into clinical practice could streamline diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and deepen the understanding of endometriosis,” said Dr. Richard Lipscombe, Managing Director of Proteomics International. “This advancement marks a significant step toward non-invasive, personalized care for a condition that has long been underserved by current medical approaches.”

Related Links:
Proteomics International