Abstract: A method of detecting the expression level of miRNA markers in a biological sample obtained from a mammal is provided. The method incudes the steps of i) detecting the expression level of one or more miRNA markers selected from the group of miR-199a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-340-5p, let-7b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p and miR-103a-3p, in the biological sample; ii) detecting the expression level of at least one miRNA reference marker selected from miR-148b-3p and miR-30e-5p in the biological sample; and iii) normalizing the expression level of the miRNA marker(s) against the expression level of the miRNA reference marker in the sample and in a control. The method is useful for the diagnosis of endometriosis, monitoring of patient response to treatment, and assessment of disease progression and/or severity.

Abstract: A method of detecting the expression level of miRNA markers in a biological sample obtained from a mammal is provided. The method incudes the steps of i) detecting the expression level of one or more miRNA markers selected from the group of miR-199a-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-340-5p, let-7b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p and miR-103a-3p, in the biological sample; ii) detecting the expression level of at least one miRNA reference marker selected from miR-148b-3p and miR-30e-5p in the biological sample; and iii) normalizing the expression level of the miRNA marker(s) against the expression level of the miRNA reference marker in the sample and in a control. The method is useful for the diagnosis of endometriosis, monitoring of patient response to treatment, and assessment of disease progression and/or severity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating endometriosis in a woman or of preventing endometriosis in a woman at higher than normal risk of developing or suffering recurrence of endometriosis. The inventive methods involve administering to the woman a pharmaceutically acceptable composition containing an aryl hydrocarbon receptor binding ligand, such as indole-3-carbinol, indole-4-carbinol, indole-5-carbinol, diindolylmethane, tryptophan, tryptamine, indole acetic acid, or glucosinolate compounds.