Meeting Report for the 2023 International Scientific Conference on Complex Lymphatic Anomalies

Abstract

Complex lymphatic anomalies (CLAs) are rare diseases with variable clinical manifestations caused by the abnormal development of lymphatic vessels. The Lymphatic Malformation Institute (LMI), Lymphangiomatosis & Gorham’s Disease Alliance (LGDA), and LGD Alliance Europe sponsored an international conference on CLAs so leaders in the field could discuss recent advances in research on CLAs. The conference occurred in Dallas, Texas, between September 29th and September 30th, 2023. The event had 22 distinguished speakers and 38 attendees. Additional researchers, clinicians, and patients attended the conference virtually. In this article, we summarize the key takeaways from the meeting. The conference emphasized the crucial role of the patient voice in guiding research, and attendees heard stories from patients and parents of children with CLAs. The conference covered topics such as the genetic causes of CLAs, preclinical models, clinical advances, new technologies for CLA research, lymphatic imaging, and patient-centered research. Videos of all the presentations can be found on the LGDA website. The meeting revealed that while progress has been made, many challenges still exist surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of CLAs. Sustained research efforts are necessary to fill the gaps in knowledge and improve the care and quality of life of CLA patients.