# The non-invasive early detection of endometriosis

> **NIH NIH R21** · MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION · 2024 · $244,494

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Endometriosis is a debilitating disease involving the growth of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus.
The primary symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. Nearly half of affected women have chronic pelvic pain,
and in 70% of those, the pain occurs during menstruation. Pain with sex (“dyspareunia”) and infertility occur in
close to half of women affected by endometriosis. Less common symptoms include urinary or bowel symptoms.
About 25% of women have no symptoms. Endometriosis can have both social and psychological effects.
Currently, definitive diagnosis is achieved by surgical biopsy. Because of the invasive nature of this method, the
diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis is considerably delayed, with average time from symptom onset to
diagnosis being 10 years. The consequence of this significant delay is prolonged and progressive pain, a risk of
infertility and considerable social/economic impact.
The purpose of this study is to develop non-invasive screening methods for the early detection of endometriosis.
Specifically, we will target DNA methylation signatures carried by circulating fragments of extracellular DNA,
referred to herein as cell-free DNA (cfDNA). These fragments, which are detected in a variety of fluid reservoirs
including blood plasma, convey epigenomic information both about their cell type of origin and its pathological
state. Our over-arching hypothesis is that altered DNA methylation signatures in the uterine tissue of
endometriosis patients are detectable via analysis of plasma-derived cfDNA. In this study we will build a
foundation of preliminary data towards the development of methods for the early non-invasive detection of
endometriosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10838470
- **Project number:** 5R21HD110826-02
- **Recipient organization:** MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** David Gerard Peters
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $244,494
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-15 → 2025-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10838470

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10838470, The non-invasive early detection of endometriosis (5R21HD110826-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10838470. Licensed CC0.

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