Imatinib Decreases Endometrial Stromal Cell Transmesothial Migration and Proliferation in the Extracellular Matrix of Modeled Peritoneum

Objective: To characterize imatinib's effect on endometrial stromal cell (ESC) attachment, proliferation, and invasion in modeled peritoneum.

Design: In vitro study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Patient(s): Twelve normally cycling women.

Intervention(s): Imatinib treatment in ESCs from women without endometriosis.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Rate of ESC attachment, proliferation, and invasion.

Result(s): Imatinib treatment at 10 μM had no effect on ESC attachment. Treatment with 0.5 μM, 2 μM, and 10 μM of imatinib reduced ESC proliferation by 30%, 72%, and 76%, respectively. The 0.1 μM dose of imatinib had no effect on proliferation. Treatment with 5 μM and 10 μM of imatinib reduced ESC invasion by 30% and 73%, respectively. The 2 μM dose had no effect on invasion.

Conclusion(s): Imatinib treatment reduces ESC proliferation and invasion in modeled peritoneum without altering attachment. Imatinib may have a therapeutic role in endometriosis treatment.