Bioengineered conduit to prevent lymphedema after cancer surgery
Official title: Development of a Bioengineered Therapeutic Device for the Prevention of Lymphedema
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-11372336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new resorbable conduit implanted during surgery could help prevent lymphedema in cancer survivors by bridging lymphatic obstructions.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $530,645 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA285372-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients at risk of lymphedema after cancer surgery, or those receiving lymph node mapping and related procedures, could be candidates for future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer treatment-related lymphatic disruption are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a braided nanofibrillar collagen conduit into a preventative surgical treatment for lymphedema. Researchers will optimize the conduit’s structure and mechanics in mouse and rat models to maximize its preventive effect on lymphatic obstruction after cancer-related surgery. The work builds on prior positive preclinical and clinical signals and partners with an established biomedical company. If successful, the approach could reduce swelling, discomfort, and related symptoms for patients at risk of lymphedema.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients who undergo cancer surgery could have a lower risk of developing lymphedema and its symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous conduit approaches showed promising results in preclinical and early clinical settings, supporting continued development.
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
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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.