Junghoon Lee, PhD

Research Program: Cancer Therapeutics Faculty Rank: Post Doctoral Fellow Campus: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College: College of Pharmacy Department: Pharmaceutical Science

Cancer Research Interest

• Disease Site Focus: Leukemia/ Lymphoma
• Research Focus Area: Treatment
• Type of Research: Basic
• Research Keywords: Lymph vessels
• Research Interest Statement: The lymphatic system is a network of small vessels and nodes that runs throughout the body. It helps keep our tissues from swelling by draining extra fluid, supports the immune system, and keeps blood vessels healthy. When the lymphatic system does not work well, fluid can build up in the body, causing a condition called lymphedema. Lymphedema can be painful, limit movement, and lower quality of life. Cancer and its treatments, especially the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, are common causes of lymphedema. Many cancer survivors develop problems with their lymphatic system, which can also affect the heart and blood vessels. Protecting the lymphatic system is therefore very important for long-term health. Our research focuses on the cells that line lymphatic vessels. These cells act like gatekeepers. They control the movement of fluid, help vessels relax and contract, and keep the vessel walls strong. We believe that doxorubicin causes these cells to take in too much calcium. This extra calcium makes the cells lose an important signal called nitric oxide. Without this signal, the vessels cannot relax properly and the walls become leaky. This can make fluid build up and damage the health of the blood vessels. We plan to answer three main questions. First, does doxorubicin increase calcium and reduce nitric oxide in lymphatic cells? Can we stop this by blocking the calcium channels? Second, do these changes affect how lymphatic vessels work, and can blocking the channels restore normal vessel function? Third, does doxorubicin damage the vessel walls and cause changes in markers of blood vessel health in the body? Can blocking the calcium channels prevent this damage? To answer these questions, we will study lymphatic cells in dishes, test isolated lymphatic vessels from rats, and measure markers in the blood of treated animals. We will compare results with and without blocking the calcium channels to see if this protects the lymphatic system. This work could lead to new ways to protect the lymphatic system during cancer treatment. By keeping lymphatic vessels healthy, we may reduce swelling, support fluid balance, and lower the risk of heart and blood vessel problems in cancer survivors.

Contact Information

• Email Address: JLee@uams.edu