Current status and challenges of drug development for hormonal treatment of endometriosis: a systematic review of randomized control trials

Vendy Zajec, Mislav Mikuš, Salvatore Giovanni Vitale, Maurizio Nicola D'alterio, Maurizio Nicola D’Alterio, Marija Gregov, Marko Jakov Šarić, Marko Šarić, Jose Carugno, José Carugno, Stefano Angioni, Mario Ćorić
Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology · 2022 · vol. 38(9) , pp. 713–720 · doi:10.1080/09513590.2022.2109145 · PMID:35971323 · W4291825053
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This systematic review of randomized controlled trials found promising results for oral GnRH antagonists in treating endometriosis-associated pelvic pain but limited progress for other hormonal agents.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the data obtained from randomized controlled trials looking at new pharmacologic treatments for endometriosis published over the last decade with a focus on hormonal therapeutic options for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain (EAPP), excluding studies focusing on fertility. METHODS: We identified relevant original studies in the English language through a search of the MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE (2012 to present) databases using the appropriate MeSH terms and applying the article type filter 'randomized controlled trials'. A total of 219 records were found during the electronic search. After a detailed evaluation and review of the manuscripts, 11 primary articles met the inclusion criteria. A systematic review of the data was conducted. RESULTS: This review included several emerging drug therapies for EAPP. Randomized control trials showed promising results with several oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (elagolix, relugolix, ASP1707, linzagolix). However, studies of other hormonal agents such as aromatase inhibitors and selective progesterone receptor modulators have not yielded significant or new advantages. Selective estrogen receptor modulators have not been represented in randomized control trials and have failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy. CONCLUSION: Although numerous novel agents are being investigated for the treatment of endometriosis, there is still no significant progress in the development of curative rather than suppressive drugs. Therefore, further efforts are needed to develop an effective and hopefully curative treatment for this chronic, costly, and overwhelming disease.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715mesh:D017699endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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