Lay summary
Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting many people in Aotearoa New Zealand, and often leads to years of pain, fatigue, and difficulty with daily life. As a result, the healthcare burden is significant. The main effective treatment currently available is surgery, but this only works short-term and the condition often reoccurs. In addition, access to specialist surgical care is limited, and many people, especially Māori, face long delays and barriers to receiving it.
This project explores a completely new idea that certain immune cells called mast cells may be driving the inflammation and fibrosis that make endometriosis worse. We will study how these cells behave in the diseased tissue and test medicines that already exist to see if they can reduce disease progression. If successful, this research could lead to new, non‑surgical treatment options, faster and more accessible care, and major improvements in quality of life for people with endometriosis.