Targeted lymphatic drug delivery for breast cancer–related lymphedema
Official title: Lymphedema therapy via lymphatic targeted drug delivery
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11293420 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A lab program developing ways to deliver medicines directly into the lymphatic system to help breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $615,335 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173943-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11293420 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The work targets breast cancer survivors who have persistent arm or trunk lymphedema after surgery or radiation.
✕Less likely to help
People without cancer-related lymphedema or those seeking immediate human treatments should not expect direct benefit because the project is currently done in animal models.
What this research studies
I would be trying a method that sends medicine straight to the lymph vessels to reduce swelling and tissue damage after cancer treatment. The team is testing sustained-release carriers and drugs in mouse models that mimic surgery-related lymphedema. They will try medicines that help lymph pumping and medicines that reduce inflammation and scarring, and look at combining them with surgical lymph node transfer. This is preclinical work in animals meant to guide future treatments for people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce limb swelling, fibrosis, and pain and improve function for people with breast cancer–related lymphedema.
How similar studies have gone: Some surgical approaches and anti-fibrotic or immunomodulatory drugs have shown promise, but targeted lymphatic drug delivery is still largely experimental and tested mainly in animals.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Susan Napier — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Susan Napier
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.