The Next Frontier in ART: Harnessing the Uterine Immune Profile for Improved Performance

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jul 11;24(14):11322. doi: 10.3390/ijms241411322.

Abstract

Assisted reproduction techniques have improved considerably in recent decades, but despite these advances, success rates remain relatively low. Endometrial immune profiling involves the analysis of cytokine biomarkers in the endometrium during the mid-luteal phase. This profiling aims to provide insights into the immune environment of the uterus. The aim is to identify immune disturbances and thus guide the development of personalized therapeutic approaches. The first part of the review looks back at the emergence of innovative concepts, highlighting the specificity of the human uterine environment at the time of implantation. Based on this new knowledge, biomarkers have been selected for endometrial immune profiling. The second part details the results of clinical studies conducted over the last ten years. These clinical results suggest that this approach can increase the rate of live births in patients suffering from repeated implantation failures or repeated pregnancy loss. Uterine immune profiling represents a clinical innovation that can significantly improve the performance of medically assisted reproduction treatments through personalized strategies tailored to the local immune profile. Innovation in personalized medicine for assisted reproduction is crucial to improving the success rates of fertility treatments, while reducing the risks and costs associated with ineffective or unnecessary interventions.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technology; cytokines; endometrium; implantation failures; personalized medicine; uterine immune profiling.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Embryo Implantation*
  • Endometrium
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
  • Uterus*

Substances

  • Biomarkers

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. Most of the studies were supported by MtriceLab Innove for the diagnostic tests and the prospective collection of data for the follow-up.