Adrenomedullin, New Drug Target for Treating Lymphedema
Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on December 27, 2007
Researchers have identified a hormone that plays a role in cardiovascular disease and other cell functions which may also be a drug target to treat lymphedema, a condition that causes painful swelling in arms and legs.
By increasing adrenomedullin within the cells of the lymphatic system, the researchers believe that they can encourage the lymph sacs to proliferate and take up more fluid. Not only could this approach provide a new treatment for lymphedema, but it may also prove useful in preventing the spread of cancer because invasive cancers sometimes penetrate the lymphatic vessels and metastasize to distant sites.
"In cancer treatments of the future, patients suffering from these aggressive cancers could be identified early and could be treated with a drug to inhibit the growth of the lymph vessels that transport the cancerous cells, thus keeping the cancer in check," Caron said.
The study has been published recently in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Image Credit: VascularWeb.org
"In cancer treatments of the future, patients suffering from these aggressive cancers could be identified early and could be treated with a drug to inhibit the growth of the lymph vessels that transport the cancerous cells, thus keeping the cancer in check," Caron said.
Tags: lymphedema drug+discovery cancer cardiovascular+disease drug drug+target treating+lymphedema adrenom
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Response from:
SaraT
(05/09/08 11:51am)
This sounds really promising - I do hope it gets the funding and publicity it needs. Current methods of treating lymphoedema are positively Stone Age.
Response from:
Roxy B
(05/14/08 1:03am)
I just want to know where to sign up for being in the trials for the drug. Having lymphedema is the most debilitating part of having breast cancer -- I am only allowed a 10 lb limit on my right arm -- I am right handed!!!!!
Response from:
Mitra A
(05/26/08 12:03pm)
This is very exciting and promising. Finally there is some hope to be cured.
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