Game Changer: World-First Endometriosis Research Institute Launched at UNSW, Fueled by Landmark Donation
By Our Daughters Foundation
Game Changer: World-First Endometriosis Research Institute Launched at UNSW, Fueled by Landmark Donation
By Our Daughters Foundation
This is truly a groundbreaking moment for the millions of individuals worldwide battling endometriosis. A landmark philanthropic donation of an incredible $50 million has been made to UNSW Sydney by the Ainsworth family, establishing the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI). This monumental contribution, the largest of its kind globally for endometriosis research, is set to position Australia at the forefront of women's health innovation and offers unprecedented hope to the endometriosis community.
The purpose of this historic donation is clear: to accelerate breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, ultimately striving for a cure. AERI's vision is to foster global collaboration, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, and crucially, patients, to build a deep understanding of endometriosis biology and its pathogenesis. This comprehensive approach is designed to lead directly to improved detection, more effective management strategies, and precision-based treatments that can truly transform lives.
The potential impact on patient care and quality of life is immense. For too long, endometriosis has been misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and often inadequately treated. An institute dedicated solely to rigorous, collaborative research holds the promise of unraveling the complexities of this debilitating condition, leading to real, tangible improvements for those who suffer daily.
At Our Daughters Foundation, this news is incredibly vital to our mission. We are dedicated to funding cutting-edge research, expanding access to compassionate care, and advocating for better solutions for complex hormone-related illnesses like endometriosis. This establishment of AERI perfectly aligns with our commitment to finding answers and ensuring dignity in care for every woman and girl. It's a powerful testament to what focused investment and collaborative spirit can achieve in the fight against these often-neglected conditions.
Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone! Share this news with your networks, and consider supporting ongoing endometriosis research. Your contribution can help fuel more breakthroughs like this. Explore more about endometriosis and how you can help on our website.
Source Citation:
UNSW Newsroom: "Landmark donation powers world-first endometriosis research institute at UNSW"
This is truly a groundbreaking moment for the millions of individuals worldwide battling endometriosis. A landmark philanthropic donation of an incredible $50 million has been made to UNSW Sydney by the Ainsworth family, establishing the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI). This monumental contribution, the largest of its kind globally for endometriosis research, is set to position Australia at the forefront of women's health innovation and offers unprecedented hope to the endometriosis community.
The purpose of this historic donation is clear: to accelerate breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, ultimately striving for a cure. AERI's vision is to foster global collaboration, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, and crucially, patients, to build a deep understanding of endometriosis biology and its pathogenesis. This comprehensive approach is designed to lead directly to improved detection, more effective management strategies, and precision-based treatments that can truly transform lives.
The potential impact on patient care and quality of life is immense. For too long, endometriosis has been misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and often inadequately treated. An institute dedicated solely to rigorous, collaborative research holds the promise of unraveling the complexities of this debilitating condition, leading to real, tangible improvements for those who suffer daily.
At Our Daughters Foundation, this news is incredibly vital to our mission. We are dedicated to funding cutting-edge research, expanding access to compassionate care, and advocating for better solutions for complex hormone-related illnesses like endometriosis. This establishment of AERI perfectly aligns with our commitment to finding answers and ensuring dignity in care for every woman and girl. It's a powerful testament to what focused investment and collaborative spirit can achieve in the fight against these often-neglected conditions.
Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone! Share this news with your networks, and consider supporting ongoing endometriosis research. Your contribution can help fuel more breakthroughs like this. Explore more about endometriosis and how you can help on our website.
Source Citation:
UNSW Newsroom: "Landmark donation powers world-first endometriosis research institute at UNSW"
Join Us: Make a Difference Today
Your support can transform lives. Every donation helps us fund research, advocate for better care, and provide essential grants to women facing debilitating conditions.
Join Us: Make a Difference Today
Your support can transform lives. Every donation helps us fund research, advocate for better care, and provide essential grants to women facing debilitating conditions.
Why Menopause Does Not Treat Endometriosis
Why menopause does not treat endometriosis
Quite often endometriosis patients are told to have their ovaries removed or put their activity on hold with hormonal medication as a way of treating the disease. As demonstrated by some studies, endometriosis lesions have the potential to produce their own oestrogen, as such removal of ovaries or temporary menopause will have little or no impact on the endometriosis itself.
What is oestrogen?
Various laboratory studies have shown that endometriosis is an oestrogen dependent disease. In females, the highest quantity of oestrogens is produced in ovaries. It is also produced in small amounts in other organs such as liver, heart and brain. The oestrogen is divided in three categories: E1 known as estrone, E2 known as estradiol and E3 known as estriol.
Out of all 3 oestrogen types the E2 is the most potent and it is active during the fertility period. E1 is more potent after the menopause and it is synthesised in adipose tissue from adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone, whilst E3 has a role in pregnancy, it’s produced by placenta during pregnancy, and it is the least potent one.
What is aromatase?
The conversion of androstenedione and testosterone E1 and E2 is done by the aromatase. Aromatase is expressed in places such as the brain, gonads, blood vessels, adipose tissue, liver, bone, skin, and endometrium. In fertile women the oestrogen biosynthesis takes place in the ovary, while in postmenopausal women it takes in extraglandular tissues such as adipose tissue and skin.
The role of aromatase expression in endometriosis
One of the first studies that have demonstrated the presence of aromatase expression in endometriosis implants was published in 1996.
To demonstrate the presence of aromatase in endometriosis implants, the scholars have conducted a study analysing and comparing biopsy samples from:
endometriosis implants from pelvic peritoneum (posterior cul-de-sac, bladder, and anterior cul-de-sac);
endometrial tissue in patients with histologically documented pelvic endometriosis;
pelvic peritoneal distal and normal endometrial tissues from women without endometriosis;
Based on the results, P450arom transcripts were detected in all endometriosis implants.The highest presence of P450arom was detected in endometriosis implants that involved the full thickness of the anterior abdominal wall. Also, in the core of the endometriosis implants, the P450arom transcript level was 4-fold higher than that in the surrounding adipose tissue. The authors concluded that the possibility of oestrogen production in endometriosis implants might promote their growth.
Other studies have also demonstrated a higher expression of aromatase in endometriosis implants. Zeitoun KM et al. concluded that molecular aberrations can impact the oestrogen biosynthesis leading to an increased local concentration of E2. The aberrant expressed aromatase in the endometriotic stromal cells converts C19, steroids to oestrogens.
Moreover, a immunohistochemical analysis found that the local estrogen production by aberrantly elevated aromatase takes place only in endometriosis and adenomyosis, and not in the normal endometrium.
In conclusion, removal of ovaries to stop the production of oestrogen as a way of treating endometriosis is not an efficient method, especially if endometriosis lesions are not removed. Endometriosis produces its own oestrogen and as long as the disease is left beyond it will continue to cause symptoms and impact organs.
-Athens Centre for Endometriosis
