New Research Brings Hope for Easier LAM Diagnosis — and It’s Happening Because of You
For those living with LAM (lymphangioleiomyomatosis), this rare lung disease can make breathing and life difficult. Doctors often use a blood test called VEGF-D to help diagnose LAM, but that test isn’t enough for everyone, and some people still need a lung biopsy to diagnose LAM. A procedure which comes with risks.
In a new study, researchers looked at many (11,000) proteins in the blood to find better ways to diagnose LAM. They found hundreds of proteins that were different in people with LAM and developed a tool called LAMScore, which could help doctors diagnose LAM without surgery. This kind of work could change how people with LAM get answers and start treatment sooner.
This research was led by Dr. Elizabeth (Lisa) Henske, a LAM expert and Director of the Center for LAM Research and Clinical Care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Henske helped discover key genetic causes of LAM and continues to guide research that improves care for patients. Dr. Joel Moss played a critical role in the project, including collecting many of the blood specimens, through his LAM research program at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
And, thanks to your support, this project was made possible in part with funding from the Million Dollar Bike Ride. The annual event hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Orphan Disease Center raises money for rare disease research, and The LAM Foundation’s “Easy Breathers” team generated funds that supported this grant. This work was also supported by including a special UO1 grant from the NIH, awarded to Dr. Henske and Dr. Moss.
The LAM Foundation also supports many LAM research projects and helps connect patients with scientists and care teams. Their support speeds up discoveries that matter to people living with LAM every day.
Together, researchers, riders, funders, and patients are moving LAM science forward — bringing hope for earlier diagnosis and better care.
Ready to help move us closer to a world without LAM? Donate today.