Lymphatic vasculature: an emerging therapeutic target and drug delivery route

W Xu, NR Harris, KM Caron - Annual Review of Medicine, 2021 - annualreviews.org
W Xu, NR Harris, KM Caron
Annual Review of Medicine, 2021annualreviews.org
The lymphatic system has received increasing scientific and clinical attention because a
wide variety of diseases are linked to lymphatic pathologies and because the lymphatic
system serves as an ideal conduit for drug delivery. Lymphatic vessels exert heterogeneous
roles in different organs and vascular beds, and consequently, their dysfunction leads to
distinct organ-specific outcomes. Although studies in animal model systems have led to the
identification of crucial lymphatic genes with potential therapeutic benefit, effective lymphatic …
The lymphatic system has received increasing scientific and clinical attention because a wide variety of diseases are linked to lymphatic pathologies and because the lymphatic system serves as an ideal conduit for drug delivery. Lymphatic vessels exert heterogeneous roles in different organs and vascular beds, and consequently, their dysfunction leads to distinct organ-specific outcomes. Although studies in animal model systems have led to the identification of crucial lymphatic genes with potential therapeutic benefit, effective lymphatic-targeted therapeutics are currently lacking for human lymphatic pathological conditions. Here, we focus on the therapeutic roles of lymphatic vessels in diseases and summarize the promising therapeutic targets for modulating lymphangiogenesis or lymphatic function in preclinical or clinical settings. We also discuss considerations for drug delivery or targeting of lymphatic vessels for treatment of lymphatic-related diseases. The lymphatic vasculature is rapidly emerging as a critical system for targeted modulation of its function and as a vehicle for innovative drug delivery.
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