New approaches to immunomodulating therapy in patients with pelvic endometriosis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate efficiency of immunomodulating therapy in patients with pelvic endometriosis.

Full Text

Methods: 256 patients (21-44 yrs.) with pelvic endometriosis were examined. Diagnosis was confirmed by both laparoscopic and histological methods. Endometriosis was staged according to the revised AFS classification. Control group consisted of 56 healthy fertile women.

Results: Natural killer (NK-) cells activity in patients with I stage endometriosis was less than in the control group by 24.8%, with II stage by 30%, with III stage by 34.6%, with IV stage by 46.3%. When analyzing interferon status parameters, a reliable decrease of leukocytes ability to produce a/b and g interferons was found. A new drug, “Cycloferonum” (a/b and g interferons inductor), was used as immunomodulator in complex therapy of endometriosis. After the treatment all patients have increased cytotoxic NK-cells activity up to normal parameters. The leukocytes ability to produce a, b, g - interferons also increased except patients with IV stage of endometriosis. Positive changes of immunological parameters correlated with decreased of endometriosis spreading documented by control laparoscopy. A course of treatment using recombinant a2 -interferon was performed in the absence of potential peripheral blood leukocytes ability to produce a/b- interferons.

Conclusions: Heavy disorders of immune system components regulating the processes of endometrium cells proliferation were revealed in patients with endometriosis. The use of interferons inductors is an important component in combined treatment of endometriosis.