Timothy P. Padera, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic Titles

Professor, Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Cancer Immunology

Member, Angiogenesis, Invasion and Metastasis

Research Abstract

My research program is dedicated to studying the lymphatic system, which consists of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels that prevent tissue swelling and generate immune responses. The lymphatic system plays a critical role in many diseases, including cancer, lymphedema and infection. There are nearly 10 million patients in the US with lymphedema—a debilitating and devastating tissue swelling commonly in limbs that results from dysfunction of the lymphatic system. There is currently no cure for lymphedema. My research program is designed to identify drug candidates to improve lymphatic function and provide treatments and cures for lymphedema patients. Further, about 25% of all cancer patients (~425,000 annually US) are initially diagnosed with lymph node metastasis. My research program studies how cancer cells use the lymphatic system to spread throughout the body and shut down anti-cancer immune responses. Our work will develop treatments to halt cancer progression and re-activate anti-cancer immunity to eradicate cancer from the body.