Targeting inflammation in endometriosis: emerging therapeutic options

Umberto Perrone, Perrone U, Barra F, Fabio Barra, Marco Anatrà, Anatrà M, Michele Paudice, Paudice M, Valerio Gaetano Vellone, Vellone VG, Giuseppe Gullo, Gullo G, Simone Ferrero, S Ferrero, Ferrero S
Expert opinion on investigational drugs · 2025 · vol. 34(12) , pp. 995–1009 · doi:10.1080/13543784.2025.2609734 · PMID:41439725 · W7117123654
review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 2 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This review outlines emerging anti-inflammatory therapies for endometriosis, including biologics, JAK inhibitors, and antioxidants, showing promise in preclinical and early clinical studies for reducing lesion size and symptoms.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease affecting up to 10% of reproductive-aged women. Current therapies are predominantly hormone-based and offer symptomatic relief without correcting the immune dysregulation and inflammation that drive lesion persistence, pain, and infertility. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes emerging strategies that directly target inflammatory pathways in endometriosis. Key mechanisms involved in lesion survival and symptom generation include cytokine signaling (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6), oxidative stress, immune-checkpoint dysregulation, and activation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Therapeutic approaches discussed comprise biologic agents (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, anakinra, tocilizumab), small-molecule JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib), and antioxidant compounds such as N-acetylcysteine, resveratrol, and vitamins C and E. EXPERT OPINION: Targeting inflammation represents a promising shift in endometriosis management, particularly for women who do not respond to hormonal therapies or aim to conceive. Preclinical studies consistently demonstrate reductions in lesion size, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and neuroangiogenic signaling. Early clinical evidence - especially for TNF-α and IL-1 blockade and for N-acetylcysteine - suggests improvements in pain and, in selected cases, reproductive outcomes. Although preliminary, these findings support the rationale for inflammation-directed therapies. Future research should prioritize randomized trials, long-term safety and fertility assessment, and biomarker-guided patient stratification to identify responders and optimize precision use of these agents.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents

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.

References (92)

Cited by (10)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK