Using retinoic acid to help regrow lymph vessels after cancer surgery
Official title: Retinoic Acid Induced Lymphangiogenesis for Post-Surgical Lymphedema
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11189780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Trying to see if a form of vitamin A (9-cis‑retinoic acid) can help regrow lymph vessels and prevent or reduce swelling after lymph node surgery in people who get lymphedema.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $586,382 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL157626-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11189780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who develop lymphedema after lymph node dissection for cancers such as breast or pelvic cancer, or those at high risk after surgery, would be the likely candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with primary (congenital) lymphedema, lymphedema from causes unrelated to surgery, or very advanced fibrotic disease may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a drug related to vitamin A called 9‑cis‑retinoic acid that helped rebuild lymphatic vessels in animal models after lymph node surgery. In this work they will study how the drug triggers lymph vessel growth, including the roles of FGFR and VEGFR signaling pathways. They will also look for early biomarkers of lymphatic problems and build a predictive model to guide future use. This preclinical and translational work is an early step toward developing a treatment that could be tested in people with post-surgical lymphedema.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to the first drug treatment that restores lymphatic drainage and prevents or eases post-surgical lymphedema.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies have shown that 9‑cis‑retinoic acid can accelerate lymphatic regeneration and restore drainage, but this approach has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Alex K. — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wong, Alex K.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.