Endometriosis Test - Development of a Noninvasive Diagnostic Test for Endometriosis
From 01-07-2007 to 30-06-2009
Description
The present research proposal aims to identify a panel of biomarkers that will significantly reduce the time from the onset of pain and/or subfertility symptoms to diagnosis of endometriosis. Earlier diagnosis and treatment will improve health related quality of life and prevent natural progression of endometriosis. In order to confirm the high sensitivity obtained in the preliminary study, the sample size will be increased to minimally 100 samples obtained during the secretory phase for each group (normal pelvis, minimal-mild endometriosis and moderate-severe endometriosis). Plasma concentrations of the six candidate markers will be determined in all additionally collected samples and will be analyzed using the same methods as in the preliminary study. Furthermore, two additional potential plasma markers -soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - will be added to the marker panel and will be measured in all samples. The results of these measurements will be analyzed together with the previous data by multiple logistic regression analysis in order to further increase sensitivity and specificity, especially in women with minimal to mild endometriosis. After completing the analysis of the data, the final diagnostic models will be developed and tested prospectively. For this purpose, prospectively collected secretory phase plasma samples will be analyzed using the diagnostic models in a blinded manner to evaluate their diagnostic power and accuracy, by comparing their results with the outcome of the laparoscopic surgeries and related histopathological findings. Subsequently, the necessary adjustment and fine-tuning of the diagnostic models will be carried out in view of the clinical findings. In the next phase plasma samples -complete with full clinical documentation- prospectively collected at LUFC and affiliated and/or collaborating fertility centers throughout Flanders will be tested en masse in a blinded manner for the selected biomarkers followed by analysis of the experimental results using the diagnostic models.Team
- Bart De Moor, Co-promoter
- Olivier Gevaert, Coordinator
Financing
Funding: IWT - Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie
Program/Grant Type: IWT TBM - VLAIO TBM Projects Applied Biomedical Research with a Primary Social finality
Events
2/09/2024:
PhD defense - Martijn Oldenhof
Machine Learning for Advanced Chemical Analysis and Structure Recognition in Drug Discovery
3/09/2024:
Meet the Jury Igor Tetko on Advanced Machine Learning in Drug Discovery
12/09/2024:
Multimodal analysis of cell-free DNA for sensitive cancer detection in low-coverage and low-sample settings
Seminar by Antoine Passemiers
News
STADIUS Alumni Herman Verrelst – new CEO of Biocartis
08 June 2017
Herman Verrelst, the founder of KU Leuven spin-off Cartagenia, who has been working in Silicon Valley, US for the last few years will be returning to Belgium to follow the steps of Rudi Pauwels as CEO of the Belgian diagnostic company, Biocartis.
Supporting healthcare policymaking via machine learning – batteries included!
29 May 2017
STADIUS takes the lead in the data analytics efforts in an ambitious European Project MIDAS.
Marc Claesen gives an interview about his PhD for the magazine of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences "Geniaal"
10 February 2017
Did you know that in Belgium approximately one third of type 2 diabetes patients are unaware of their condition?
Joos Vandewalle is nieuwe voorzitter KVAB
09 October 2016
Op 5 oktober 2016 heeft de Algemene Vergadering van de Academie KVAB Joos Vandewalle verkozen tot voorzitter van de KVAB.