Congressional Support for Lymphatic Research

We are pleased to report that the United States Senate has included the following appropriations committee report language in its Committee Reports 112^th Congress (2011-2012) Senate Report 112-084: OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR. Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Disease- The Committee commends the trans-NIH Coordinating Committee for Lymphatic Research [CCLR] for its efforts. Nevertheless, stronger oversight and engagement is needed from the leadership of the Office of the Director and the ICs to help make more meaningful advances into the lymphatic system and lymphatic diseases, as the Committee has requested for many years. In particular, the Committee requests explicit, prospective, actionable plans and implementation strategies for each of the 2007 CCLR Working Group Recommendations that detail the prospective roles that each pertinent Institute and Center would undertake. A particular emphasis is needed on the plans for the patient registry/tissue bank; clinical and experimental imaging initiatives; the incorporation of additional expertise in lymphatic biology/disease in the pertinent CSR study sections; and the creation of programs to train new investigators in lymphatic research. Furthermore, the Committee urges NIAID and NIAMS to demonstrate greater emphasis on lymphatics.

Update: Lymphedema Research

The Lymphatic Research with support from Weill Cornell Medical College proudly sponsored a free symposium, “Mechanisms of Fibrosis and Lymphatic Dysfunction” recently held in New York City. This symposium was well attended by patients, family members, and health care professionals who came to hear Babak Mehrara, M.D., Associate Attending Surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive Service, Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Disease and Associate Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery), Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Mehrara discussed his latest research findings regarding the role of inflammation and wound healing in lymphedema as well as future implications for prevention and treatment. In particular, Dr. Mehrara relates the fibrosis that occurs in lymphedema to other fibroproliferative disorders such as scleroderma, cirrhosis, kidney fibrosis, keloid formation and others. His research using a mouse model has shown that sustained lymphatic stasis is associated with activation of certain T helper cell responses. Inhibition of these T helper cell responses in mice with lymphedema showed resolution of the inflammatory reaction. This is just one of the lines of research showing promise for more effective prevention and treatment strategies in the future.

National Walk for Lymphedema and Lymphatic Diseases Expands

In 2010, the Lymphatic Research Foundation established their first-ever Walkathon held in New York. This year, The Lymphatic Research Foundation expanded our National Walk to include walkathons in Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. In addition, other volunteer supporters participated virtually by raising funds for research, electronically, in their respective communities. Researchers, service providers, patients, families and friends joined forces to raise awareness and much needed funds for lymphatic research. We encourage all those interested in the advancement of this field, to support our walks, organize one in your area or create a virtual walk donation website page. Walks may be held year-round. For more information or to donate, visit: www.walklrf.org