Overview
The Al-Hendy laboratory uses methods of basic, translational, clinical, and community-based research to address important medical diseases. Areas of research focus include the developmental origin of gynecologic conditions, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and infertility. The Al-Hendy lab also develops and investigates the efficacy of novel, non-surgical treatment options for uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and more.
Currently, the Al-Hendy research team is developing innovative therapeutics against female infertility using mesenchymal stem cells and/or its exosomes. The lab's research is funded by various agencies, including several R01 grants from the NIH (NICHD, NIEHS, NIMHD, ODS, OD, NCRR), USDA, other national and international organizations as well as pharmaceutical collaborative research agreements and contracts.
Main projects in the laboratory
- Studying the efficacy of various nutritional supplements as possible non-surgical therapy options for individuals with uterine fibroids. Currently, the lab is conducting studies on the efficacy of EGCG (green tea extract) as an alternative to surgery for patients with uterine fibroids. The Al-Hendy lab also investigates the contribution of vitamin D deficiency in fibroid development as well as the use of vitamin D as a therapeutic option for uterine fibroids.
- Characterizing stem cells from human and rat tissue samples to understand the role of developmental epigenetic and epitranscriptomics reprogramming and early life adverse environmental exposures in adult-onset uterine fibroids.
- Utilizing human mesenchymal stem cells to treat animal models of female infertility (with a primary focus on premature ovarian insufficiency and polycystic ovary syndrome) and translating the findings to innovative human clinical trials.
Collaboration
To reach our goals our lab collaborates with physicians and scientists from around the world.
- Thomas Boyer, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
- Cheryl Walker, Ph.D., Cheryl Walker Lab, Baylor College of Medicine
- Dr. Hugh Taylor, Yale School of Medicine
- Dr. James Hugh Segars Jr., Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Winston Thompson, Ph.D., Morehouse School of Medicine
- Dr. Larry Maxwell, Inova Schar Cancer Institute
- Dr. Frank Gonzalez, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Chaun He, University of Chicago
- Yu-Ying He, Ph.D., The He Lab, University of Chicago
- Heping Zhang, Ph.D., Yale School of Public Health
- Dr. Michal Ciebiera, Centrum Medyczne Ksztalcenia Podyplomowego
Funding
The Al-Hendy lab receives substantial funding from various public and private organizations.
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08/01/2021-05/31/2026 |
R01 HD100563, PI: Al-Hendy, MPI: Boyer “Pathological reprogramming of the m6A epitranscriptome in uterine fibroids”
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08/01/2020-07/31/2025 |
R01 HD100563, PI: Whirledge, Co-PI: Al-Hendy “Role of GR in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids”
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09/15/2017-09/14/2023 |
R01 ES 028615-001, PI: Al-Hendy, Co-PI: Walker “Gene x environment interactions in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids”
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08/01/2017-07/31/2022 |
R01 HD 087417-01A1, PI: Boyer, Co-PI: Al-Hendy “Molecular basis of MED12 in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids”
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04/01/2018-03/30-2023 |
R01 HD 094378-01, MPIs: Boyer/Al-Hendy “Hypovitaminosis D promotes MED12-associated genomic instability in uterine fibroids”
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08/01/2018-07/31/2023 |
R01 HD 094380-01, PI: Borahay, Co-I: Al-Hendy “Mechanisms of actions of simvastatin in uterine leiomyoma”
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10/01/2018-09/30/2023 |
RCMI-5U54 MD 007602-32, (Morehouse School of Medicine), PI Project 1: Al-Hendy “Project 1: Epigenomic landscape of reduced DNA repair capacity and risk of uterine fibroids in African Americans”
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10/01/2019-09/30/2024 |
R01 HD 100367-01, Co-PIs: Al-Hendy/Gonzalez University of Illinois at Chicago Clinical Site Reproductive Medicine Collaborative Consortium: “A randomized placebo-controlled trial of EGCG to improve fertility in women with uterine fibroids”
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08/01/2021-07/31/2023 |
NIHES ES 028615-S2, PI: Al-Hendy “Community-engaged COVID-19 intervention to protect and monitor children”
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08/01/2021-07/31/2023 |
NIHES ES 028615-S2, PI: Al-Hendy “Investigating the effectiveness of COVID-19 testing choices, community engagement and culturally-embedded health literacy”
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08/01/2018-7/31-2022 |
Rose Study – MDStem Cells Inc., PI: Al-Hendy “Rejuvenation of premature ovarian failure with stem cells (ROSE)” https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02696889
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03/01/2021-03/01/2024 |
Bayer Schuman Endometriosis Study, Site PI: Al-Hendy
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10/01/2021-10/01/2024 |
Bayer Oasis menopausal symptoms study, Site PI: Al-Hendy |
Publications
Publishing research findings is a top priority in the lab, with Dr. Al-Hendy and co-investigators having published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier scientific journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility and Sterility, and more.
- Dr. Al-Hendy recently worked alongside colleague Dr. Sandra Laveaux on an impactful paper in the Journal of Clinical Medicine entitled, What We Know about the Long-term Risks of Hysterectomy for Benign Indication - A Systematic Review
- Dr. Al-Hendy co-authored a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2021. This study, "Treatment of Uterine Fibroid Symptoms with Relugolix Combination Therapy," suggests that once-daily relugolix combination therapy in women with uterine fibroids and heavy bleeding significantly reduces symptoms while avoiding hypoestrogenic effects.
Podcast Features
- Uterine Fibroids and Endometriosis. (Podcast Series) Episode 3
- Relugolix Combination Therapy for Uterine Leiomyoma-Associated Pain in the LIBERTY Randomized Trials. Obstetrics & Gynecology Editor's Pick for December 2022
Laboratory Awards & Leadership
- 2021 ASRM Fibroid Prize Paper: Maria Victoria Bariani, PhD, Transcriptomics Analysis Shows Profound Ethnic Differences in At Risk Pre-Fibroid Myometrium
- 2021 ASRM Corporate Member Council In-Training Award: Mohamed Ali, PhD, Pub Number: Downregulation of SIRT3 Contributes to Uterine Fibroid Phenotype, which is Inhibited by Natural SIRT3 Activator Honokiol
- 2021 ASRM Prize Paper Selection: Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD, (O-5) Liberty Randomized Withdrawal Study: 2-year efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy in women with heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids
- Dr. Ayman Al-Hendy elected as 70th President-Nominee of the Society of Reproductive Investigation (SRI)
Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
