Emerging Molecular Concepts in Fibroid Pathogenesis

Dear Colleagues,

Fibroids are benign tumors afflicting over 80% of reproductive aged women. These tumors which are dependent on ovarian sex steroids for growth cause abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain and infertility. Race plays a significant role in terms of symptomology with black women experiencing more severe symptoms with more rapid growth of tumors, excess bleeding and earlier onset of tumors. A hallmark of fibroids is the aberrant expression of genes regulating cell proliferation, extracellular matrix composition and inflammation which are exacerbated by black race and the expression of MED12 mutation. The initiating event leading to the onset of tumorigenesis and what role if any stem cells might have in this process has been under intense investigation with variable results. There is an urgent need for development of non-hormonal based therapies but to achieve this goal a deeper understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of these tumors is needed. In this Special Issue, original research articles and critical reviews on the molecular aspects of fibroids are welcome.

Dr. Omid Khorram
Guest Editor

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• uterus
• fibroids
• pathogenesis