DIAGNOSING CONDITIONS
Undestanding
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus, often going undiagnosed despite their prevalence. Early detection and consistent monitoring are essential to managing the condition and preventing long-term health issues.
HOW THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS FAILING WOMEN
Detection Is Crucial for Uterine Fibroid Treatment
Uterine fibroids are often overlooked or undiagnosed until symptoms become severe, leading to complications like chronic pain, anemia, and fertility issues. Delayed diagnosis can significantly impact quality of life and limit treatment options.
Menstrual blood may provide a more accessible and innovative approach to earlier uterine fibroid detection.
Uterine Fibroids by the Numbers
Women experience fibroid-related symptoms or health concerns in the US.
Women affected by 50 years of age.
Average delay before women seek treatment for uterine fibroids.
Qvin Simplifies
Uterine Fibroid Screening
Partner with Qvin
THE PROBLEM
Approximately $41.4 billion was the economic
burden of uterine fibroids in the U.S. alone in 2022.
THE SOLUTION
Qvin makes blood work accessible, increasing
early detection, reducing costs, and saving lives.
Rationale
Menstrual blood (MB) provides a non-invasive window into the endometrial immune environment, capturing biomarkers reflective of uterine conditions such as fibroids. In women with uterine fibroids, MB and endometrial fluid analyses have shown significant changes in immune and angiogenic markers, including elevated VEGF-A and IL-6, and decreased IL-2 [1][2]. The 2021 study on fibroid impact further underscores how fibroids disrupt normal endometrial gene expression related to inflammation, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis—processes directly measurable in menstrual effluent [3]. Additionally, studies using endometrial flushing demonstrate altered levels of glycodelin, PGF2α, and αVβ3 integrin in fibroid patients, indicating dysregulated endometrial signaling [4]. Elevated TNF-α levels in menstrual effluent further highlight inflammatory changes potentially linked to fibroid-associated menorrhagia [5]. These findings validate MB as a viable substrate for fibroid detection.
Q-Pad
The Q-Pad, a passive, self-administered menstrual blood collection device, has proven effective for capturing cytokine and protein markers linked to uterine fibroids. It enabled clear differentiation between fibroid and control groups based on immune marker levels such as VEGF-A, IL-6, and G-CSF [1]. Complementary data from endometrial flushing support the presence of fibroid-specific immune changes—particularly reduced IL-2 levels in women with leiomyoma [2]—demonstrating that MB can reliably reflect endometrial pathophysiology. Findings from the 2021 fibroid study provide additional mechanistic context by highlighting fibroid-driven alterations in endometrial signaling pathways [3]. Given its ease of use, clinical fidelity, and patient acceptability, the Q-Pad platform holds promise for scalable fibroid screening in both clinical and remote settings.
Research
[1] Differences in Menstrual Cytokine Profiles of Women with and without Uterine Fibroids, Dhanani Z et al., F&S Science, 2023.
[2] Endometrial Flushing Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin 2 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Leiomyoma and Endometrioma: Comparison with Healthy Controls, Demir M et al., Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, 2019.
[3] Understanding the Impact of Uterine Fibroids on Human Endometrium Function, Navarro A et al., Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2021.
[4] Endometrial flushing αVβ3 integrin, glycodelin and PGF2α levels for evaluating endometrial receptivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, myoma uteri and endometrioma, Demir M et al., Gynecological Endocrinology, 2017.
[5] Reduced levels of VEGF-A and MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and increased TNF-alpha in menstrual endometrium and effluent in women with menorrhagia, Malik S et al., Human Reproduction, 2006.
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Uterine Fibroids management
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Be a part of the solution and transform uterine fibroids care.
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Research
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