Development of a novel controlled release pelvic drug delivery system to manage endometriosis

Endometriosis is a debilitating, chronic disease which affects an estimated 176 million women around the globe (10% of reproductive aged women), characterised by the growth of ectopic endometrial cells and tissue outside the uterine cavity. Despite being such a widespread disease, a totally resolving cure for endometriosis is yet to be found. All the treatments currently prescribed (progestogens, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists) carry several side effects that limit their clinical usefulness. The aims of the projects were to develop an animal model to resemble the hormonal and pathophysiological abnormalities that occur in the human disease, to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of AZD4547, a novel Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor (FGFRI), with the gold standard progestin, etonogestrel (ENG), administered either systemically or locally, towards the development and size of the ectopic endometrial implants. Endometriosis was induced by transplanting uterine fragments from a donor mouse in the stage of proestrus into the peritoneal cavity of recipient mice. AZD4547 and ENG were administered systemically starting either from the day of endometriosis induction or 2 weeks after ... (continues)