Discovery of a novel biomarker in the urine in women with endometriosis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether proteins secreted in urine differ between women with and without endometriosis.

Design: Laboratory study using human urine.

Setting: University-based laboratory.

Patient(s): Women with and without endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and curettage.

Intervention(s): Urine collection from women with and without endometriosis.

Main outcome measure(s): Proteomic techniques and mass spectrometry to identify proteins secreted in the urine of women with and without endometriosis.

Result(s): On average, 133 proteins were significantly different between women with and without endometriosis. Cytokeratin-19 was highly up-regulated in the urine of women with endometriosis.

Conclusion(s): Cytokeratin-19 may be a valuable urinary biomarker for endometriosis.