The molecular mechanisms underlying the damage inflicted on lymphatic vessels during radiation therapy is still mainly unknown.

A team of researchers found out that radiotherapy selectively impairs essential lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) functions needed for lymphatic vessel growth (lymphangiogenesis). It mainly achieves this by attenuating VEGFR-3 signaling pathways, LEC were therefore selectively less responsive to growth factors such as VEGF-C and VEGF-D.

Pillay V, Shukla L, Herle P et al. Radiation therapy attenuates lymphatic vessel repair by reducing VEGFR-3 signalling. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Apr 28;14:1152314.