CO2‐laser excision of endometriosis does not improve the decreased natural killer activity
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We recently described a decreased lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity to autologous endometrium and to natural killer-sensitive targets in women with endometriosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the defect remained after CO2-laser excision of the endometriotic lesions. DESIGN: In 15 women with endometriosis the cytotoxicity assays were performed before and three to four months after complete removal of the endometriotic lesions with CO2-laser excision. CA-125 serum levels were measured before and after laser laparoscopy, in order to confirm that endometriosis had been treated properly. RESULTS: After removal of the endometriotic lesions the decreased natural killer activity (K562-assay) and the impaired cytotoxicity of autologous and even heterologous lymphocytes to the endometrium remained unchanged, and those cytotoxicity assays were still significantly decreased compared to the women without endometriosis. CA-125 serum concentrations, however, were still significantly decreased three to four months after CO2-laser excision of the endometriosis. (paired Student's t-test p < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a primary deficiency in natural killer activity in women with endometriosis and are in accordance with our clinical experience as endometriosis is relapsing frequently after treatment.
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Low natural killer cell activity in plasma remains low whereas elevated CA-125 concentrations return to normal after surgical excision of deep endometriosis, suggesting that the NK cell defect is a cause and elevated CA-125 a consequence of endometriosis.
“That the low natural killer (NK) cell activity in plasma remains low whereas the elevated CA-125 concentrations return to normal after surgical excision of deep endometriosis suggests that the NK cell defect is a cause and the elevated CA-125 a consequence of endometriosis (89).”
From Pathogenesis of endometriosis: The genetic/epigenetic theory (2019) · cites this paper as [89]
Natural killer activity is decreased in peritoneal fluid and in plasma of women with endometriosis, and after excision of deep endometriosis their activity remains low, whereas elevated CA-125 concentrations return to normal.
“The natural killer activity is decreased in PF and in plasma of women with endometriosis (103-105) and after excision of deep endometriosis their activity remains low, whereas elevated CA-125 concentrations return to normal (106).”
From Pathogenesis of deep endometriosis (2017) · cites this paper as [106]
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References 17 · Cited by 25
- Authors
- Oosterlynck, D. J., Meuleman, C., Waer, M., & Koninckx, P. R.
- Affiliations
- Rega Institute for Medical Research (BE)
- KU Leuven (BE)
- Corresponding author
- Oosterlynck, Dldier J.
- ORCID
- Meuleman, Christel
- Venue
- Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1994-04
- Volume
- 73
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 333-337
- ISSN
- 0001-6349 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0412
- OpenAlex
- W2152264523
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gynecological conditions and treatments
- Keywords
- endometriosis, natural killer cells, CO2 laser excision, lymphocyte cytotoxicity, CA125, endometriosis recurrence
- MeSH terms
- Carbon Dioxide, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, Endometriosis, Female, Humans, Infertility, Female, Killer Cells, Natural, Prospective Studies, Uterine Diseases, Laser Therapy
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