Efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in the treatment of spontaneous endometriosis in baboons

Objective To determine the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy (etanercept) for treating endometriosis in baboons. Design A randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study using the baboon endometriosis model. Setting Southwest National Primate Research Center. Animal(s) Twelve female baboons with spontaneous peritoneal endometriosis. Intervention(s) Etanercept (n = 8) or sterile water (n = 4) was administered subcutaneously three times per week. Main outcome measure(s) After 8 weeks, the number, color, and surface area of peritoneal lesions was evaluated. Revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine staging was used. Result(s) A statistically significant decrease in red lesion surface area in the treatment group was observed. A trend toward a decrease in the absolute number of red lesions was noted in the treatment group. White and black lesion number and total surface area slightly increased in both groups but failed to achieve statistical significance. Endometriosis was diagnosed in 60% of captive-born baboons with primary infertility. Conclusion(s) These results indicate that etanercept effectively reduces the amount of spontaneously occurring active endometriosis in the baboon.