Molecular Insights Into Endometriosis for Early Detection and Therapeutic Targets

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent chronic inflammatory disease associated with pain and infertility, remains diagnostically and therapeutically challenging due to its multifactorial nature. Molecular mechanisms of the dynamic changes during disease pathogenesis may help identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This paper reviews the molecular pathological alterations in endometriosis, focusing on the regulation of sex hormones, the endometrial microenvironment, immune dysregulation, and relevant signaling pathways. The lack of reliable early detection biomarkers significantly contributes to diagnostic delays. We summarize the research progress on biomarkers for endometriosis, providing the latest information on early diagnosis. We also review the therapeutic strategies targeting anti-proliferative/pro-apoptotic pathways and inflammatory responses. Although challenges persist in translating mechanistic discoveries into clinical applications, preclinical evidence suggests that addressing diagnostic delays and advancing innovative therapies may hold potential for yielding targeted management strategies for this complex disease.