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

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. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011; 95: 46-9. (C)2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)