According to a story from BioPortfolio, the corporation Herantis Pharma Plc recently announced that its Phase 2 clinical trial measuring the effectiveness of Lymfactin, a gene therapy, in the treating secondary lymphedema. This study will plan to utilize 40 participants that have breast cancer associated lymphedema. In Phase 1 trials, Lymfactin displayed an encouraging safety and tolerability profile.
Lymphedema is a condition characterized by abnormal, localized fluid retention and swelling in certain areas of the body. The disease can be inherited in some cases (“primary” lymphedema), but it is often the result of damage to the lymphatic system (“secondary” lymphedema). It can be caused by lymph node dissection, radiation therapy, or surgery. While primary lymphedema is rare, secondary is more common; it estimated that lymphedema affects around 200 million worldwide. It frequently occurs with breast cancer, although symptoms rarely develop until months following treatment. It is not fully curable and can progress without treatment, but there are effective approaches to managing the condition. Symptoms include swelling, increased vulnerability to infection, discoloration, and other skin changes such as hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia, ulcers, skin thickening, and papillomatosis. Surgery, compression, and complete decongestion therapy are essential components of treatment. To learn more about lymphedema, click here.
Lymfactin is a gene therapy specialized in repairing the lymphatic system. It expresses the VEGF-C growth factor, which is essential for the development of the vessels that make up the system. Lymfactin is meant to be a single dose therapy for lymphedema; while current treatments for the condition can effectively address the symptoms, this gene therapy could offer a potentially curative solution. This would represent an incredible increase in quality of life for patients. Lymfactin works because it promotes growth in the areas of the lymphatic system that have been damaged; when this damaged area is repaired and regrown, than the underlying cause of the condition disappears.
