As reported by Contemporary OB/GYN, scientists have developed a “groundbreaking” test to discover endometriosis using menstrual blood—reducing the typical diagnosis time from years to minutes. The next-generation technology is capable of identifying HMGB1 in period blood, which may be used as a biomarker for endometriosis, a chronic and often painful disease where the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Essentially functioning like a pregnancy test, the device shows a positive or negative result within 10 minutes.

What Is HMGB1?

HMGB1 is a protein linked to endometriosis development and progression and is detectable in menstrual blood, but using menstrual blood for diagnoses is historically overlooked, and sometimes shrouded in shame. “Despite the significant potential of menstrual effluent as a diagnostic tool for women’s health, it often faces substantial challenges due to social stigma and limited access to affordable diagnostic methods,” explains Dipanjan Pan, PhD, professor at Pennsylvania State University. Thus, current methods of diagnosing endometriosis often require invasive blood tests, laboratory analyses, imaging studies, and extensive patient history collections. According to Pan, these procedures have been linked to delays in endometriosis diagnosis of up to 12 years among US patients.

A New Frontier in Endometriosis Diagnosis

The device has displayed a sensitivity of 500 percent more than existing laboratory methods through the use of a technique synthesizing nanosheets made of borophene. Borophene is an atomically thin 2D material derivative of graphene, but with greater strengths. This allows for earlier identification and treatment, which may allow severe symptoms such as extreme pain and potential infertility to be reduced.

Investigators replaced the alcohol solvent with water, which was used to disperse powdered boron and break down the chemical, restoring it to pristine nanosheets. After this procedure, antibodies capable of identifying HMGB1 were fixed to the nanosheets.

“Think of planting a garden,” Pan said. “The ground—the nanosheets—must be even and clear of weeds before you can fertilize the soil—adding the antibodies. Then, you have the best environment to support the desired vegetables—the HMGB1 proteins.”

Test Function and Sensitivity

Similar to a pregnancy test, one line on the test indicated a negative diagnosis, while two lines indicated a positive diagnosis. The test strip is darkened when the blood sample flows over it, and any present HMGB1 proteins bind to the antibodies.

The sensitivity of the device was affirmed by spiking menstrual blood with different HMGB1 concentrations. Successful detection was reported even at low concentrations, highlighting a five-fold improvement in current tests that take longer to prepare.

According to Pan, the test may be incorporated into menstrual pads in the future. This would allow at-home monitoring of HMGB1 that is discreet and convenient for patients.

“The ability to detect critically important biomarkers via a decentralized platform, like our approach, empowers patients with facilitating widespread use in more rural areas or settings without expansive medical resources,” said Pan. “This study highlights the broader research opportunities essential for realizing next-generation biotechnologies.”¹