Repurposed Drug Fenoprofen Exhibits Promise Towards Endometriosis-Associated Ache in Animal Mannequin

March 18, 2024 — Fenoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), efficiently alleviated ache and irritation in a rodent mannequin of endometriosis, in response to researchers funded by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH). They selected the drug after utilizing a pc algorithm to guage practically 1,300 current compounds for his or her skill to reverse gene expression associated to endometriosis illness. The research was funded by NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Nationwide Institute of Baby Well being and Human Improvement (NICHD).

Evaluation by researchers on the College of California, San Francisco, utilizing publicly accessible information from folks with endometriosis, returned 299 candidate compounds with seven thought of high candidates. These medicine included generally used therapies for the illness, corresponding to aspirin, in addition to these not but studied for this goal. The researchers selected fenoprofen for additional analysis as a result of it returned the best gene expression reversal rating and belongs to a drug class—NSAIDS—that is without doubt one of the first-line therapies for endometriosis.

Fenoprofen is a prescription drug authorized for the reduction of gentle to average ache and is commonly prescribed for arthritis. The researchers analyzed digital medical information from 5 College of California healthcare establishments and located that the drug had been prescribed for lower than 1% of sufferers with endometriosis or associated circumstances. They then examined fenoprofen in a rodent mannequin of the illness, observing that it efficiently alleviated vaginal hyperalgesia, a surrogate marker for endometriosis-related ache.

If future research in folks verify these findings, the researchers recommend that fenoprofen may very well be prescribed extra continuously to deal with endometriosis ache. Their work additionally helps continued use of their computer-based strategy to repurpose different current medicine as potential therapeutic candidates for endometriosis.

There’s an pressing want for brand spanking new therapies and diagnostics for endometriosis, which happens when tissue just like the uterine lining grows outdoors of the uterus, usually inflicting extreme ache and infertility. The illness impacts an estimated 10% of U.S. ladies, but prognosis is commonly delayed. Many current therapies have difficult uncomfortable side effects, don’t deal with the supply of the illness and go away an opportunity for recurrence. To assist handle these points, NICHD lately launched the Advancing Cures and Therapies and ending ENDOmetriosis diagnostic delays (ACT ENDO) initiative. To be taught extra about ACT ENDO, go to

Who

NICHD Director Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., is on the market to debate the research findings. To rearrange an interview, please e-mail nichdpress@mail.nih.gov or name 301-496-5133.

For extra details about NICHD-led advances in endometriosis, go to

References

Oskotsky TT et al. Figuring out therapeutic candidates for endometriosis by means of a transcriptomics-based drug repositioning strategy. iScience DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109388 (2024)

In regards to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Nationwide Institute of Baby Well being and Human Improvement (NICHD): NICHD leads analysis and coaching to grasp human improvement, enhance reproductive well being, improve the lives of youngsters and adolescents, and optimize skills for all. For extra data, go to https://www.nichd.nih.gov.

In regards to the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical analysis company, contains 27 Institutes and Facilities and is a element of the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers. NIH is the first federal company conducting and supporting fundamental, medical, and translational medical analysis, and is investigating the causes, therapies, and cures for each widespread and uncommon ailments. For extra details about NIH and its applications, go to www.nih.gov.

Supply: NIH

Posted: March 2024