Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston received a $663,818 Project Grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395), effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2031. This research initiative will assess the impact of early physiotherapy intervention on lymphatic dysfunction in breast cancer survivors. The project will employ advanced near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging (NIRF-LI) technology to longitudinally evaluate lymphatic dysfunction, implement early physical rehabilitation with advanced pneumatic compression at the first sign of dysfunction before clinical diagnosis, and assess the durability of lymphatic response to this intervention. The research aims to prevent the development of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and enhance quality of life in cancer survivors by detecting and treating lymphatic dysfunction approximately eight months earlier than conventional clinical methods allow.

The three primary research objectives include longitudinally assessing lymphatic dysfunction using three-dimensional quantitative NIRF-LI, evaluating the impact of early physical rehabilitation on lymphatic dysfunction, and determining the durability of lymphatic response to early intervention. By demonstrating that early physical rehabilitation can decrease or resolve lymphatic dysfunction before the onset of symptomatic lymphedema, this research will advance evidence-based supportive care methods within the NCI's Cancer Treatment Research portfolio, which supports the development and evaluation of improved cancer treatment approaches across all therapeutic modalities and supportive care innovations.