Tag Archives: research

Help Fellow Lymphie Raise Money for Multiple Sclerosis

Jim Miller has suffered from lymphedema for the past forty-six years and has been a very encouraging and inspiring voice on this blog since it began over a year ago. He continues to infuse a certain spirit of optimism and confidence both on- and off-line by living an active lifestyle and participating in fundraisers for multiple sclerosis and childrens’ hospitals.

Most recently, Jim has committed to participating in the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of Bike MS, where he will be riding 150 miles on June 30th and July 1st to raise money for multiple sclerosis. Proceeds from this event are used to provide programs and services to over 11,000 individuals in Colorado and Wyoming living with MS, as well as fund critical research projects in hope of finding a cure. On his personal page, Jim says,

I am participating in the MS150 bike ride again because many of us – me, you, your neighbors, friends at work, school, church and social life – have been surprised with medical challenges in our lives. Whether you face MS or have faced cancer, Parkinson’s or Lymphedema, a community that provides personal support as well as fund raising and research support makes a huge difference.

I’m asking you to help with a tax-deductible donation to the National MS Society in my name to fund research, advocate for change, and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives. I believe in the work they do and want to be part of it.

Multiple Sclerosis affects people in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50. Every hour someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. More than 2.5 million people worldwide live with this unpredictable disease. Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision, that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason, or that you may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike. The symptoms of MS are different for everyone – the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Some of you also know that I will be riding with a condition known as lymphedema. You can learn more about it at www.lymphedemacommunity.com or the National Lymphedema Network (www.lymphnet.org). My objective is to help others I meet understand the challenges of lymphedema as well as MS, and that with either condition it takes much personal attention and dedication to keep focused on a positive future.

If you would like to support Jim in his bike ride as well as help raise money for MS, please consider making a donation in his name by clicking here. Thank you for your support!

Cautious (but big!) Hope

Some good news for breast cancer patients with secondary lymphedema:

On March 6th – Lymphedema Awareness Day – researchers presented investigational pre-clinical data on the first potential pharmacologic agent used in combination with surgery for the treatment of breast cancer associated lymphedema (source). In layman’s terms, this team of researchers have gathered data that shows lymph node transplant surgery could potentially maybe someday be a real thing, thanks to a vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) called Lymfactin.

How would it work?

The therapy with Lymfactin involves a surgical operation where a lymph node flap is harvested from the patient’s lower abdominal wall and injected with Lymfactin, which leads to the transient presence of the adenovirus containing the VEGF-C gene. The lymph node is then transferred to the axillary region.

When the growth factor VEGF-C was injected into tissues of mice and later pigs, there was growth of new lymphatic vessels and restoration of lymphatic architecture. When combined with lymph node transfer, the administration of VEGF-C yielded an 80% improvement in mice with lymphedema. Researchers are developing a treatment that would enable a higher transfer success. Plans to start a phase I/II study in breast cancer patients are set for as early as next year (!).

Wendy Chaite, the founder of LRF, was quoted in the article as saying this treatment is “very promising,” and cites the current lack of any advanced treatments for lymphedema as making this research “all the more important for those who suffer from this condition.”

The implications of this study are huge. Currently, the only treatment options for lymphedema focus on minimizing swelling, controlling pain, and preventing infection. We’ve got wrappings, massages, compression.. nothing to cure or alleviate lymphedema, only maintain it. This condition is way too common to be ignored as much as it is. Let’s all hope that research continues to develop in this positive direction!

What do you think about this news? If it were to become an accessible and reliable treatment, would you do it?

The source for the information in this post came from a press release on MarketWatch.
For more information about Lymfactin, visit the Laurantis Pharma website.