Targeting Ryanodine Receptors to Prevent Lymphedema from Doxorubicin in Breast Cancer
Official title: Ryanodine Receptors as Therapeutic Targets to Prevent Doxorubicin-Induced Lymphatic Dysfunction
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11381004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how a common chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin) may cause lymphedema in breast cancer patients and tests a viable approach to prevent or reduce it by modulating Ryanodine receptors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,698 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA282349-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Breast cancer patients who are treated with doxorubicin and are at risk for lymphedema.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not exposed to doxorubicin or those without risk of lymphedema may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
The project focuses on understanding how doxorubicin can disrupt lymphatic vessel function and contribute to chronic lymphedema in people undergoing breast cancer treatment. It investigates whether blocking or modulating Ryanodine receptors in lymphatic muscle cells can prevent the harmful Ca2+ changes and vessel dysfunction caused by the drug. The research combines laboratory studies of lymphatic tissue with clinically relevant models to identify potential therapeutic strategies that could be translated to patients. If successful, this work could lead to new medications that protect lymphatic function during cancer therapy. The PI and team at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences are driving this investigation with a focus on human-relevant mechanisms and potential clinical applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients receiving doxorubicin could have a lower risk of lymphedema and improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown DOX can affect lymphatic function; this project advances a targeted mechanism-based strategy that is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stolarz, Amanda — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Stolarz, Amanda
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.