The Spanish Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Association (AELAM) and Vall d'Hebron have signed an agreement for the donation of €40,000 over three years to promote research in lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare disease that causes severe lung damage. This pathology, which is much more common in women, is caused by the accumulation of a specific type of cell in the lungs and other parts of the body.

LAM is a disease characterized by the abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells known as LAM cells. This proliferation results in lung cysts, lymphatic manifestations and renal angiomyolipomas. The origin of these cells is unknown, but they probably migrate through the lymphatic ducts.

Currently, the response to standard treatment is not uniform. This is why research is needed to find biomarkers to improve diagnosis, disease control and disease progression. This is precisely the aim of the project on which the Vall d'Hebron team will work, entitled "Study of molecules involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition as potential non-invasive biomarkers in the follow-up of patients with AML". "We will study a series of biomarkers involved in the migration capacity of cells to see if they can help in the diagnosis and evaluation of disease progression," explains Dr. Berta Sáez, assistant of the Pneumology Service at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and principal investigator of the Pneumology group at VHIR.

Specifically, researchers will focus on determining the molecules that characterize LAM cells and that allow them to migrate and invade other organs. To do so, it is necessary that the cells lose their ability to adhere within a tissue and acquire the ability to migrate.

The agreement signing event was also attended by Dr. Susana Gómez, principal investigator of the Pneumology group at VHIR; Dr. Antonio Roman, care director of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital; and Dr. Joan X. Comella, director of VHIR. They highlighted and thanked the great involvement of patients, which is essential to promote research in rare diseases. On behalf of AELAM, Silvia Lleida, president of the association; Meritxell Lupon, secretary; and Maria Guerrero, member of the board of directors; participated in the session. The association was created in 2002 and has been growing since then with the aim of finding a solution to LAM.