A Bioengineered Treatment to Prevent Lymphedema
Development of a Bioengineered Therapeutic Device for the Prevention of Lymphedema
This project aims to create a special implant to help prevent lymphedema, a condition where fluid builds up, often after cancer treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134719 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Lymphedema is a challenging condition where lymph fluid collects in soft tissues, commonly affecting breast and gynecological cancer survivors. Currently, treatments mostly focus on managing swelling and discomfort with physical therapy and compression. This research is developing a new surgical approach using a special implant made of aligned collagen fibers. This implant is designed to bridge blocked lymphatic areas, potentially preventing lymphedema before it fully develops.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who are at high risk for developing lymphedema, particularly after cancer surgeries that involve lymph node removal, might be ideal candidates for this future preventative treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who already have established, severe lymphedema may not directly benefit from a preventative treatment, though future applications could be explored.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new implant could offer a preventative surgical option for lymphedema, reducing the chronic swelling and discomfort many patients experience.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary preclinical and clinical work with an earlier version of this implant has shown promising results in reducing lymphedema symptoms.
Where this research is happening
Palo Alto, United States
- Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research — Palo Alto, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Ngan F. — Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
- Study coordinator: Huang, Ngan F.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.