Iranian scientists explore drug repurposing to tackle endometriosis

Iranian researchers are advancing a new approach to treating endometriosis through drug repurposing, using a combination of computational modelling and laboratory testing. This is reported by IRNA, a partner of TV BRICS.

Dr. Mehdian, a biochemistry PhD, focused on identifying effective existing drugs that could be redirected to combat endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting women.

"Current treatments such as painkillers, hormone therapy, and surgery only manage symptoms. [...] But there is still no definitive cure for endometriosis, which can progressively impact fertility and quality of life," Mehdian stated.

The project uses computer-based methods to pinpoint the most relevant biological targets involved in the disease, followed by laboratory testing on cultured endometrial tissue to evaluate the impact of selected drugs.

Dr. Mehdian emphasised that such computational tools significantly accelerate drug discovery by predicting effectiveness before clinical trials.

The next phase will involve advanced 3D organoid models to simulate human tissues, offering a more precise assessment of drug performance before moving to clinical testing.