A Bioengineered Treatment to Prevent Lymphedema
Official title: Development of a Bioengineered Therapeutic Device for the Prevention of Lymphedema
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-11134719 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $540,476 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA285372-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134719 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have established, severe lymphedema may not directly benefit from a preventative treatment, though future applications could be explored.
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.
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 gone: 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 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.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Biodegradable drug-eluting scaffold to promote lymphatic healing for lymphedema
A new scaffold that slowly releases 9-cis retinoic acid to help grow healthy lymph vessels in people with lymphedema, especially cancer survivors.
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Mechanisms of Junctional Proteins in Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery
Scientists are studying how tiny protein gaps in lymph vessels contribute to swelling after breast cancer surgery, with the goal of helping people who develop lymphedema.
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Image-based detection and monitoring of secondary lymphedema in head and neck cancer
A new, smartphone-enabled method uses simple computer vision to detect and track secondary lymphedema in people treated for head and neck cancer.
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Lymphedema Prevention with Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction for Breast Cancer Patients
This grant tests a surgical approach to help people with breast cancer reduce lymphedema after surgery.
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Bioengineered conduit to prevent lymphedema after cancer surgery
A new resorbable conduit implanted during surgery could help prevent lymphedema in cancer survivors by bridging lymphatic obstructions.
-
Bioengineered lymphatic healing platform for breast cancer-related lymphedema
A new brainy hydrogel-based approach aims to help people who develop lymphedema after breast cancer by guiding and regenerating lymphatic vessels.
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.