Use of cathepsin S in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis

A method for use in the monitoring the progress of endometriosis in a subject comprising the steps of:

• detecting a first test amount of a cathepsin S gene product in a sample from the subject at a first time;
• detecting a second test amount of the cathepsin S gene product in a sample from the subject at a second, later time;
• and
• comparing the first test amount with the second test amount,
• whereby an increase in the amount between the first time and the second time indicates progression of endometriosis and a decrease in the amount between the first time and the second time indicates remission of endometriosis.

A method for the treatment of endometriosis in a subject comprising:

• administering to the subject a probe comprising a detectable label and a ligand that specifically binds a cathepsin S gene product, to allow binding between the probe and the cathepsin S gene product;
• identifying an endometriotic lesion in situ by locating bound label;
• and
• excising the endometriotic lesion.

A screening method for determining whether a compound modulates the expression of a cathepsin S gene product in an endometrial cell comprising the steps of:

• contacting the cell with the compound;
• and
• determining whether expression of the cathepsin S gene product is different than expression in a control cell which has not been contacted with the compound;
• whereby a difference between expression in the endometrial cell and the control cell indicates that the agent modulates expression of the cathepsin S gene product.