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Medical artist shows how lymphatic filariasis is caused based on new research

Photo of a person with lymphedema in India being examined in the middle of a crowd
LOW-COST MANAGEMENT OF FILARIAL LYMPHEDEMA:
in rural India using traditional medicine

View a videoclip about the BIG BOOK FOR KIDS outreach program of the Lymphedema Association of Ontario. It is the organization's first initiative to focus on children. In collaboration with The Hospital for Sick Children's Department of Rehabilitation Services, a donated book will be provided to each newly diagnosed patient with lymphedema, aged newborn to eleven.

View a videoclip of the launch of the Hospital for Sick Children and LAO Big Book for Kids Outreach Program (left)

 

 

The purpose of this site is to link people in Canada with dysfunctioning lymphatic systems with health care professionals and support groups in their communities and around the world. Through this site we will keep you informed of some of the latest developments in scientific research and treatment in this area.


CLICK HERE
TO VIEW STUDIES ON POTENTIAL DRUGS TO TREAT LYMPHEDEMA

University of Pittsburgh uncovers a new genetic cause for primary lymphedema

A team of scientists at the University of Pittsburgh has discovered another genetic piece of the puzzle in the cause of primary lymphedema: mutations in a gap junction protein (Connexin 47). The research is based on findings from the University's Lymphedema Family Study. Dr. Finegold, professor of human genetics at the University and principle investigator of the Lymphedema Family Study, believes research on this protein could lead ultimately to targeting the gene with drugs to improve its function. Information on his team's findings can be found in: "GJC2 Missense Mutations Cause Human Lymphedema", The American Journal of Human Genetics (2010), do:10.1016/rajah, and in the June 2010 Lymphatic Research Foundation's le-newsletter (see contact information below).


Six classes of drugs under study to treat lymphedema using mouse model

Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have created a mouse model with lymphedema which will help researchers better understand lymphedema. Using their animal model they found that lymphedema is characterized not just by the presence of swelling, but by a profound, accompanying inflammation. This finding suggests drug therapies could one day be used to treat this disease.

"Ten million people in the United States have lymphedema. It's heartbreaking that the disease goes unacknowledged or unrecognized because doctors simply have no treatment to offer," saRock sonley Rockson, MD, associate professor of medicine (cardiovascular) and senior author of the study. "This study opens the door to the likelihood of effective therapies."

Rockson notes that current treatment options are temporary and provide little relief. "It's like an iron lung for polio - it works, but it is certainly no way to live." His team is now looking at six classes of drugs for study, one of which has already been tested. (Source: Genetic Engineering News, July 17, 2006; Lymphatic Research Foundation)

For more information on the Lymphatic Research Foundation visit their web site at: www.lymphaticresearch.org/.


Confidentiality of data relating to individual patients and visitors, including their identity, is respected by this Web site. The Web site owners undertake to honour federal and provincial medical/health information privacy considerations on the Lymphovenous Canada web site.

Please note that the information on this web site is presented for informational purposes only. Any mention of a product, form of therapy, or therapist does not constitute a recommendation. We are not able to answer personal questions related to medical conditions. For more information please review the links on this web site and consult your doctor.

Latest News

Photo of Cathy McPherson, Administrator of the Lymphovenous Canada website
Notes from the International Lymphoedema Framework conference

Graphic with link to a new website for teens with lymphedema
A new website for teens with lymphedema

graphic of a laboratory
LYMPHEDEMA CLINICAL TRIALS

Best Practice for the Management of Lymphoedema book cover
Check it out!!
International consensus document on the management of lymphoedema.
(PDF)

picture of the cover of the book Fats of Life
Is there a relationship
between the fats in our bodies and lymphedema?


Copyright © 1996-2010 Lymphovenous Canada.
Please do not reproduce material from this site without permission.
If you have any comments, you can contact us at info@lymphovenous-canada.ca .
Technical Advice by Nigel Allen and Vithiyiharan Ganesh.
Last revised July 12, 2010.

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