Gyeonggi Bio Center Develops New Drug Candidate for Lymphedema Treatment

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency has developed a new drug candidate substance for the treatment of lymphedema.

The Bio Center of the Gyeonggi Economic Science Institute announced on the 21st that, together with Professor Lee Seok-chan of Sungkyunkwan University and Professor Kang Hee of Kyung Hee University, they have developed a 'new drug candidate substance for the treatment of the intractable disease lymphedema' and published a research paper in an international academic journal.

The newly developed lymphedema treatment drug candidate substance, 'GSK-2,' is a substance that suppresses inflammation and prevents fat accumulation, thereby blocking the progression of lymphedema to fibrosis.

The Bio Center explained that it will help reduce the suffering of patients whose limbs swell and have difficulty moving due to anticancer treatment, aiding in overcoming cancer.

In cell experiments, when inflammatory substances were applied to macrophages (a type of white blood cell) in the peritoneal cavity of rats, GSK-2 reduced inflammatory molecules called cytokines by up to 50%.

In animal experiments, when lymphedema was induced by damaging the lymph nodes in the hind limbs of rats, GSK-2 reduced swelling in the limbs by about 70%.

The results of this study were published on the 1st in the 'European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry,' an internationally authoritative academic journal in the field of medicinal chemistry.

Dr. Koo Jin-mo, head of the Bio Center and principal investigator of the study, said, "Lymphedema worsens with inflammation, fat accumulation, and fibrosis, but GSK-2 is a substance that suppresses inflammation and prevents fat accumulation, thereby blocking the progression to fibrosis."

Lymphedema refers to swelling in the arms or legs caused by damage to the lymphatic system, mainly occurring in the dermis layer between muscles and skin.

Typical symptoms include dullness and pressure in the limbs, stabbing pain, and burning sensations. If not properly treated, fluid can accumulate between tissues, worsening the swelling. However, since it is not a curable disease, it is known as a type of chronic disease that requires lifelong management.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.