Biomarkers and pathways behind persistent endometriosis pain

Novel biomarkers and pathways of persistent endometriosis-associated pain across the life course

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11309169

This project looks for immune and inflammatory signals in adolescent and adult women with endometriosis to spot who may develop long-lasting pelvic pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11309169 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, researchers will collect information about your pain history, symptoms, and likely biological samples such as blood (and when available, tissue) to search for immune and inflammatory markers. They will follow and compare adolescents and adult women to see what changes when pain shifts from short-term to persistent and widespread. The team will use lab tests and data analysis to identify neuroimmune and inflammatory pathways linked to more severe or stubborn pelvic pain. Findings are meant to help match treatments earlier to people at higher risk of chronic pain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescent and adult people assigned female at birth with a diagnosis of endometriosis or ongoing endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.

Not a fit: People without endometriosis or whose pelvic pain comes from clearly unrelated causes may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict who is at risk for persistent endometriosis pain and guide earlier, more targeted treatment choices.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked inflammation to worse endometriosis symptoms, but using neuroimmune biomarkers across adolescence into adulthood to predict persistent pain is a newer approach.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.