Immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors: are they the next generation of treatment for endometriosis?

Thomas D’Hooghe
In: Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2003 · vol. 15(3) , pp. 243–249 · doi:10.1097/00001703-200306000-00006 · W4251557940
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 28 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-06-27 ⓘ

This review discusses promising new hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for endometriosis, including immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors, potentially shifting management towards medical approaches.

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This review article evaluates current and emerging medical therapies for endometriosis, focusing specifically on the potential of immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors. The author highlights recent research indicating that new hormonal agents and anti-inflammatory drugs show promise in managing the condition without the significant side effects associated with existing treatments. While acknowledging that an ideal drug capable of curing pain and subfertility while preserving fertility does not yet exist, the text notes that promising data from tumor necrosis factor inhibitors suggests such a breakthrough may be imminent. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it provides a comprehensive overview of novel pharmacological strategies aimed at improving medical management of the disease.

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Abstract

Purpose of review This article will present an overview of current and new hormonal and non-hormonal medical treatment in the management of endometriosis, with special emphasis on immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors. Recent findings Recent research shows a very promising role for new hormonal medication (aromatase inhibitors, estrogen and progesterone receptor modulators) and anti-inflammatory drugs (tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors) in the management of endometriosis. Summary The ideal drug in the treatment of endometriosis alleviates pain and cures sub-fertility without inhibition of ovulation or menstruation and without significant side effects or teratological effects. Such a drug would allow conception during treatment and would fundamentally change the management of endometriosis from a surgical approach to medical management. Although such a drug does not yet exist, promising research using tumor necrosis factor inhibitors indicates that this could become possible in the not too distant future. We strongly recommend testing new medication for the prevention or treatment of endometriosis in the baboon model, an established research model for fundamental and preclinical research in endometriosis.
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Immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors: are they the next generation of treatment for endometriosis? - Thomas M. D'Hooghe Purpose of review This article will present an overview of current and new hormonal and non-hormonal medical treatment in the management of endometriosis, with special emphasis on immunomodulators and aromatase inhibitors. Recent findings Recent research shows a very promising role for new hormonal medication (aromatase inhibitors, estrogen and progesterone receptor modulators) and anti-inflammatory drugs (tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors) in the management of endometriosis. Summary The ideal drug in the treatment of endometriosis alleviates pain and cures sub-fertility without inhibition of ovulation or menstruation and without significant side effects or teratological effects. Such a drug would allow conception during treatment and would fundamentally change the management of endometriosis from a surgical approach to medical management. Although such a drug does not yet exist, promising research using tumor necrosis factor inhibitors indicates that this could become possible in the not too distant future. We strongly recommend testing new medication for the prevention or treatment of endometriosis in the baboon model, an established research model for fundamental and preclinical research in endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

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