Lymphedema and Therapeutic Lymphangiogenesis

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2013; no. 2013; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Morishita, Ryuichi, Kaneda, Yasufumi, Nakagami, Hironori, Saito, Yukihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2013; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Breast cancer; Cancer therapies; Child development; Clinical trials; Diabetic retinopathy; Disease Models, Animal; Edema - complications; Edema - genetics; Edema - physiopathology; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Gene therapy; Hepatocyte Growth Factor - genetics; Homeostasis; Humans; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic system; Lymphatic Vessels - metabolism; Lymphatic Vessels - pathology; Lymphedema - genetics; Lymphedema - mortality; Lymphedema - pathology; Medicine; Oils & fats; Proteins; Radiation therapy; Review; Rodents; Surgery
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/804675

Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic vascular system characterized by impaired lymphatic return and swelling of the extremities. Lymphedema is divided into primary and secondary forms based on the underlying etiology. Despite substantial advances in both surgical and conservative techniques, therapeutic options for the management of lymphedema are limited. Although rarely lethal, lymphedema is a disfiguring and disabling condition with an associated decrease in the quality of life. The recent impressive expansion of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms governing lymphangiogenesis provides new possibilities for the treatment of lymphedema. This review highlights the lymphatic biology, the pathophysiology of lymphedema, and the therapeutic lymphangiogenesis using hepatocyte growth factor.