ENDOX (Oxford) Study: Key Details
What is ENDOX?
- A research project by the Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK.
- The name “ENDOX” comes from ENDOmetriosis + Ox (Oxfordshire / Oxford). It focuses on endometriosis.
Purpose / Goals
- To identify biomarkers (in blood, urine, saliva, tissue) that can help diagnose endometriosis without surgery (laparoscopy), and to monitor disease and treatment effects.
- To collect detailed information from women with and without endometriosis, including symptoms, quality of life, clinical findings.
- To understand relationships between clinical severity, patient-reported symptoms, and potential biomarkers.
Study Design / Methods
- Prospective cohort: women undergoing laparoscopy for pelvic pain, infertility, or sterilisation are recruited.
- Collect biological samples (blood, urine, saliva, tissue) plus questionnaire data before and after surgery.
- Follow-up at multiple time points (post-surgery) to measure changes, recurrence, quality of life etc.
Current status
- No longer recruiting participants.
- But existing sample/data meant for ongoing / future biomarker discovery, mechanism studies, etc.
Why It Matters
- Currently, diagnosing endometriosis often requires invasive surgery. Having reliable non-invasive biomarkers would mean earlier diagnosis, less risk and cost.
- Enables better tracking of disease progression or recurrence, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
- Could help personalize therapies based on biomarkers.
ENDOX Study Overview
Biomarker and drug target discovery, as well as the translation of genetic findings into clinically meaningful outcomes, require comprehensive biological and clinical data. To achieve this, the ENDOX Study (Endometriosis Oxford) was established as a prospective cohort study aimed at collecting biological samples alongside detailed symptomatic, clinical, and demographic information from women with and without endometriosis.
Within ENDOX, we systematically collect blood, urine, saliva, and tissue samples from women undergoing laparoscopy for pelvic pain, infertility, or sterilisation. Each participant is invited to complete detailed questionnaires both before and after surgery, capturing information about symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and quality of life. These data and samples form a rich biobank designed to facilitate the identification of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, novel therapeutic targets, and mechanistic insights into endometriosis pathophysiology.
ENDOX Study – Endometriosis Oxford Research
Advancing biomarker discovery and clinical translation for women's health
About the ENDOX Study
The ENDOX Study (Endometriosis Oxford) is a pioneering prospective research project designed to identify biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for endometriosis. This condition affects an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide, yet remains underdiagnosed and misunderstood.
To address this gap, ENDOX systematically collects blood, urine, saliva, and tissue samples from women undergoing laparoscopy for pelvic pain, infertility, or sterilisation. Participants also complete detailed questionnaires before and after surgery, capturing symptom profiles, medical history, and quality of life measures. These rich datasets enable integrated analysis of biological, genetic, and clinical factors.
The ultimate goal is to translate molecular discoveries into clinically useful tools—non-invasive diagnostic tests, predictive markers of treatment response, and insights into endometriosis pathophysiology. ENDOX supports the global mission outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve reproductive health outcomes and reduce the burden of endometriosis through early detection and precision medicine.
Global impact of endometriosis: WHO 2023 report – approximately 190 million women affected worldwide.
Collaborations and Future Direction
ENDOX continues to serve as a major biobank for ongoing research, enabling collaborations in biomarker validation, genetic analysis, and patient-centred outcomes. Its findings are expected to inform future diagnostic tools, drug development, and public health strategies worldwide.