Therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells in endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis is a complex gynaecological condition that remains difficult to treat, largely because of delayed diagnosis and the wide variability of its symptoms. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapies and their derivatives, such as modified extracellular vesicles and conditioned media, have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies, acting directly on the proliferative and inflammatory processes central to the disease. Understanding current advances in experimental treatments involving stem cells and their derivatives is therefore of critical importance. A comprehensive review of MSC-based therapies in endometriosis is essential not only to consolidate existing knowledge and identify research gaps but also to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these approaches. Such a review may contribute to the development of standardised protocols and regulatory frameworks, supporting the progression from experimental models to clinical application. Ultimately, this could accelerate the development of innovative, disease-modifying therapies, offering hope to those affected by the debilitating impact of endometriosis. This review primarily explores the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation in endometriosis and highlights experimental therapies involving MSCs and their derivatives. Particular focus is given to the therapeutic potential of MSCs in both cell- and gene-based interventions, with an emphasis on the molecular pathways involved in tissue repair and healing.

Keywords: Conditioned media; Endometriosis; Extracellular vesicles (EVs); Inflammation; Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); Organoids; Therapy; microRNA.