Innovative Pharmacological Approaches in the Treatment of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Affecting around 10% of women of reproductive age, it is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, infertility, and a substantial reduction in quality of life. Despite its high prevalence and clinical burden, treatment options remain limited.Current pharmacological management relies largely on hormonal suppression and symptomatic pain relief, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, combined oral contraceptives, progestins, and GnRH analogs or antagonists. Although these approaches can be effective for some patients, they are often associated with side effects, recurrence after treatment discontinuation, and limited suitability for patients wishing to conceive. These limitations highlight the need for new therapeutic strategies grounded in a deeper understanding of the inflammatory, neurogenic, endocrine, immune, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the disease.This Research Topic focuses on the next generation of pharmacological therapies for endometriosis. We invite Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, and early-phase Clinical Trials that explore novel therapeutic targets and innovative treatment strategies beyond conventional hormonal suppression and symptomatic pain relief. Particular interest will be given to studies addressing the underlying biology of endometriosis, including inflammatory, endocrine, immune, neurogenic, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms.In particular, this collection aims to capture the growing momentum around novel targets emerging from advances in genetics and disease biology, including drug repurposing strategies based on mechanisms shared with conditions comorbid with endometriosis. We also hope to encourage contributions that strengthen the translational pipeline in endometriosis research, especially studies supported by robust and reproducible preclinical models that can improve confidence in therapeutic development and clinical relevance.By integrating advances from genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, and translational research, this collection seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of emerging strategies that could transform the current treatment landscape and improve long-term outcomes for patients with endometriosis.Scope and information for authorsThis Research Topic focuses on advancing next-generation pharmacological therapies for endometriosis, with an emphasis on moving beyond hormonal suppression toward targeted, mechanism-based, and durable treatments. We also welcome contributions that deepen understanding of endometriosis biology and translate experimental findings into therapeutic innovation.Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to:Disease mechanisms and pathobiology: Studies exploring the underlying biology of endometriosis, including the identification of novel molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms driving disease development and progression.Novel drug targets: Preclinical, translational, early-phase, and clinical studies investigating potential new therapeutic strategies, including non-hormonal targets involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, immune modulation, endocrine signaling, pain pathways, cell proliferation, and invasion.Genetic and genomic insights: Identification of novel therapeutic targets based on genetic, genomic, or epigenetic findings, including precision medicine approaches.Drug repurposing: Identification and validation of existing drugs or compounds targeting pathways relevant to endometriosis, particularly where supported by mechanistic, genetic, or translational rationale, including compounds relevant to conditions comorbid with endometriosis.Targeted therapies: Development of pathway-specific agents and other innovative pharmacological approaches with the potential to improve efficacy, tolerability, and durability of treatment.Translational and preclinical models: Studies exploiting robust, reproducible, and clinically relevant preclinical models to support therapeutic development and strengthen translational confidence. Topic editors: Krisztina Pohóczky, Philippa T Saunders, Radoslav Janostiak Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80144/innovative-pharmacological-approaches-in-the-treatment-of-endometriosis