ICUE
ICUE
Illuminating the path to cure endometriosis
Project overview
Project lead: Hanne Haslene-Hox
Institution: SINTEF
Funding: Research Council of Norway, collaborative project in Technology convergence, 15 MNOK
Duration: January 2025 – December 2028
Research group
Tonje Husby Haukaas, SINTEF Industri
Vu Nakstad, SINTEF Industri
Margrét Sylvía Sigfúsdóttir, SINTEF Industri
Konstantinos Antypas, SINTEF Digital
Stine Hellum Braathen, SINTEF Digital
Guri Bårdstu Majak, Oslo universitetssykehus
Ingrid Marie Ringen, St. Olavs hospital, Universitetssykehuset i Trondheim
Elisabeth Raasholm Larby, Endometrioseforeningen
Niklas Björkström, Karolinska Institutet
Olof Mikael Lindgren, NTNU
About the project
Endometriosis is a disease where endometrial-like cells grow in other parts of the body, causing pain and other
issues. Approximately 1 in 10 women have endometriosis. Currently, there is a substantial diagnostic delay, with
patients waiting an average of 7 years to get the diagnosis. The primary treatment for endometriosis is hormone
therapy, such as oral contraceptives and IUDs, and if this does not work, surgery. However, current treatments only
alleviate symptoms and often have temporary effects. Therefore, it is critical to develop new knowledge and
strategies to improve the treatment and quality of life for patients with endometriosis.
The ICUE project aims to use technology and methods previously used in cancer research to understand more about
the characteristics of endometriosis tissue and explore new treatment options. The project will study the
composition of endometriosis tissue at the gene and cell levels and use cells and tissue removed during
endometriosis surgery to test drugs and diagnostic markers in the laboratory. The models developed can be used to
observe the effects of drugs at the cellular level and develop methods to deliver effective drugs or fluorescent
markers directly to the diseased cells. New treatments must be safe for healthy and fertile women and consider the
benefits and risks of any new treatment. In collaboration with patients and clinicians, the project will look at how
endometriosis treatment is experienced today and which challenges are most important to address for those
affected.
The ultimate goal of the research is to create technology and solutions that will lead to improved treatment for
endometriosis and a better life for patients and society.
Photo: Mughilan Selvarajah/SINTEF