HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Why leiomyomas are called fibroids: the central role of extracellular matrix in symptomatic women.

Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas are highly prevalent and symptomatic tumors of women in their reproductive years. The morbidity caused by these tumors is directly related to increasing size. Leiomyoma cells do not rapidly proliferate; instead, the tumors grow primarily due to excessive production of disorganized extracellular matrix (ECM). The aberrant ECM results from excessive production of collagen subtypes and proteoglycans, increased profibrotic cytokines including transforming growth factors beta1 and beta3, and decreased or disrupted matrix metalloproteinases. These alterations result in the development of an ECM that is exceptionally stable. As a result, therapeutic interventions must redirect leiomyoma cells toward extracellular matrix dissolution, rather than solely inhibiting cell proliferation. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and selective progesterone receptor modulators with demonstrated clinical efficacy provide such a change in abnormal extracellular matrix formation by leiomyoma cells, inhibiting and reversing the fibrotic process. Novel therapies using pathways distinct from gonadal hormones, including antifibrotics, retinoic acid, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligands, and curcumin, provide promise for a future with improved therapeutic options for women suffering from uterine leiomyomas.
AuthorsMinnie Malik, John Norian, Desirée McCarthy-Keith, Joy Britten, William H Catherino
JournalSeminars in reproductive medicine (Semin Reprod Med) Vol. 28 Issue 3 Pg. 169-79 (May 2010) ISSN: 1526-4564 [Electronic] United States
PMID20414841 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightPublished in 2010 by Thieme Medical Publishers.
Chemical References
  • Hormones
  • Proteoglycans
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Collagen
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases
Topics
  • Collagen (metabolism)
  • Extracellular Matrix (metabolism)
  • Female
  • Hormones (metabolism, therapeutic use)
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma (epidemiology, metabolism, therapy)
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases (metabolism)
  • Prevalence
  • Proteoglycans (metabolism)
  • Research (trends)
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta (metabolism)
  • Uterine Neoplasms (epidemiology, metabolism, therapy)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: