A glimmer of hope for nearly one in ten women in France.
This Friday, February 11, the Lyon-based artificial intelligence company Ziwig presented an innovation in the diagnosis of endometriosis at a press conference.
This is a saliva test that can detect “in a few days” all forms of the disease, “even the most complex”, with a reliability close to 100%.
"A revolution," says Prof. François Golfier, president of the endometriosis commission of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF), given the medical wandering of patients (diagnosed on average after 8 to 12 years) , and “their extremely disabling symptoms” (menstrual, digestive, sexual, urinary pain, etc.).
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How it works ?
Previously to detect the disease, it was necessary to carry out an MRI or a laparoscopy under general anesthesia (
introduction of a camera via an incision at the level of the navel NDLR
).
Here, the saliva test called Endotest®, is non-invasive and above all much simpler.
Patients collect their own saliva at home using a self-sampling kit.
They then return the sample by post to the laboratory, which confirms or invalidates the diagnosis of endometriosis “in a few days”, confirms Philippe Descamps, vice-president of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).
In practice, the role of this test is to detect micro-RNAs (miRNAs), specific molecules that circulate in variable quantities in most biological fluids (blood, urine, breast milk, tears, saliva, etc.).
“Over the past few years, evidence has accumulated in favor of their involvement in the pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis, reports Ziwig in its press release.
A direct link between the deregulation of certain miRNAs and the development of endometriotic lesions has been demonstrated.”
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A conclusive clinical trial
To put this saliva test to the test, a French research team, made up of doctors who are experts in endometriosis and artificial intelligence engineers from the start-up Ziwig, carried out a clinical trial in January 2021 called Endo-miRNA. .
The work was carried out on 200 patients presenting with painful symptoms evoking the disease.
Via a blood test and another, saliva, they identified 153 patients, of different levels of severity.
"The performance of the saliva test has proven to be superior to that of all the diagnostic tools currently available (in particular MRI and pelvic ultrasound)," summarizes the company Zwig in its press release.
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Soon on the market?
After these conclusive results, a new study on 1,000 women and conducted in five reference French centers has just been launched.
When can we expect Endotest® to be marketed?
According to Yahya El Mir, president of Ziwig, the test is ready for “large-scale production, but the ball remains in the court of the French health authorities”, who must decide on its inclusion in the treatment course and its possible reimbursement. by health insurance.
If its marketing should "a priori" require a medical prescription, the start-up Ziwig wants the Endotest to be accessible in pharmacies.
“Pharmacists are the ideal professionals to distribute the test, do prevention, and advise patients, especially in the event of a positive result”, confirms the company in its press release.
While waiting for an official launch date, the president of the CNGOF endometriosis commission, François Golfier wants to be optimistic.
"It's coming soon," he says.
As a reminder, at the beginning of January, Emmanuel Macron announced a national strategy to fight endometriosis to “better understand this disease, its causes and to find therapeutic treatments.
And to conclude: "It's not a woman's problem, it's a social problem."
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