Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema With Topical Tacrolimus: A Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Pilot Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic, progressive side effect of breast cancer treatment, occurring in one-third of patients treated with axillary lymph node dissection and nodal radiotherapy. Cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4⁺) cells plays a key role in BCRL by facilitating inflammation and inhibiting lymphangiogenesis. Tacrolimus is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive macrolide that targets CD4⁺ cells. Treatment of lymphedema with topical tacrolimus has revealed promising results in preclinical trials. This clinical trial was aimed at evaluating the feasibility, safety, and effect of tacrolimus in women with stage I or II BCRL, according to the International Society of Lymphology.

Methods

We conducted this open-

SUBMITTER: Gulmark Hansen FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9981991 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature