SF1 miRNA Differential Expression and Sample Clustering Analysis in endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common, chronic, estrogen-dependent gynecological disorder characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus and frequently associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Despite its high prevalence, the molecular mechanisms underlying lesion persistence and inflammation remain poorly understood, limiting the development of reliable non-surgical diagnostic tools and targeted therapies. In this study, we identified a non-invasive biomarker panel for endometriosis by profiling salivary microRNAs (miRNAs). A case–control study included 176 women with endometriosis and 124 controls. Salivary miRNA expression was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Patients were stratified into untreated and treated groups (pharmacological or surgical therapy), while controls included healthy individuals and a technical control group of women with benign gynecological conditions to reduce potential confounding factors. Ten salivary miRNAs were associated with disease activity. Seven (hsa-miR-130a-3p, hsa-miR-130b-3p, hsa-miR-141-3p, hsa-miR-200b-3p, hsa-miR-200c-3p, hsa-miR-203b-5p, and hsa-miR-29c-3p) were previously linked to endometriosis, while three were related to inflammatory or cancer pathways. Expression levels showed a gradient across clinical groups, with intermediate levels in treated patients, suggesting therapeutic modulation. Target analysis identified PTEN as a key regulated gene, implicating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. These findings support salivary miRNAs as promising non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring endometriosis.This Excel workbook contains the results of a microRNA (miRNA) expression analysis for the SF1 cohort. It includes differential expression results comparing case vs. control samples (log fold change, p-values, adjusted p-values, and significance), a Cluster Representation Index (CRI) for each sample, and sample metadata with cluster assignments and differential expression group labels. The file is intended for downstream interpretation of miRNA dysregulation and sample clustering patterns in patients affected by endometriosis and relative controls.