Genes differentially expressed in fibroids and myometrium by cDNA microarray

Abstract

Objective: Fibroids are a cause of significant gynaecological morbidity, the single most common indication for hysterectomy, and cause clinical symptoms in 25% of women (Lancet,2001;357:293–8). Medical treatments aimed at reducing steroid hormone action on these hormone-responsive tumors result in unacceptable side-effects when taken long-term. It is clear that the development of further medical treatments will rely on improving our understanding of the biology of fibroid growth. The objective of this study was to use cDNA microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed genes in growing pre-menopausal fibroids compared with adjacent normal myometrium.