Indian scientists have developed VEGF-C nanocarriers that repair damaged lymphatic vessels, reduce fluid build-up, and strengthen immunity in cirrhosis. This breakthrough could mark the first true disease-modifying therapy, transforming how cirrhosis is treated in India and worldwide.
Cirrhosis is one of India’s silent killers, claiming nearly 200,000 lives every year. Yet, treatment has barely moved beyond symptom relief. Liver transplantation — the only cure — remains out of reach for most patients.
This explainer highlights a breakthrough by ILBS New Delhi and NIPER Guwahati, supported by the DST Nano Mission. By using VEGF-C nanocarriers to repair damaged lymphatic vessels, Indian scientists are pioneering a potential disease-modifying therapy.
Unlike routine health reporting, ABC Live connects benchside discovery with public health impact. This report explains the science, shows the data, compares global approaches, and explores what this could mean for millions of patients in India and beyond.
(ABC Live Editorial Board)
New Delhi (ABC Live): Cirrhosis is one of the deadliest liver conditions, slowly replacing healthy liver tissue with hardened scar tissue. For patients, it means repeated hospital visits, painful fluid drainage, frequent infections, and in many cases, the looming fear of a liver transplant.
For decades, doctors have only been able to control symptoms — draining abdominal fluid, prescribing diuretics, or managing infections. None of these approaches fix the underlying damage, and the disease keeps getting worse. The only real cure is a liver transplant, which is too costly and inaccessible for most patients.
Now, Indian researchers may have found a way to change this story. By using nanocarriers filled with VEGF-C — a protein that stimulates lymphatic vessel growth — scientists have restored the body’s natural drainage system in animal models of cirrhosis. This approach doesn’t just manage symptoms, it tackles the root problem. If proven safe in humans, it could become the world’s first disease-modifying therapy for cirrhosis.
The Scale of the Problem
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Cirrhosis causes 1.5 million deaths worldwide annually (WHO).
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In India, nearly 10 million people live with cirrhosis, with 200,000 deaths each year (ICMR).
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The most common complication is ascites — fluid accumulation in the abdomen — affecting 60% of patients within 10 years (AASLD).
Today’s treatments — paracentesis, diuretics, antibiotics, or surgical shunts — only provide temporary relief. They do not stop the disease from progressing.
Why the Lymphatic System Matters
The liver is the body’s busiest factory, and when it is damaged, it produces far more lymphatic fluid than normal — up to 30 times more (Journal of Hepatology, 2020).
But in cirrhosis, the lymphatic vessels that should drain this fluid become swollen and dysfunctional. The result:
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Persistent fluid build-up in the abdomen.
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Weakened immunity, making infections more likely.
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High portal pressure, worsening liver damage.
This “plumbing failure” in the lymphatic system has never been directly addressed by treatments — until now.
The VEGF-C Solution
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C (VEGF-C) is a natural protein that stimulates the growth of new lymphatic vessels (Nature Genetics, 2004). But used on its own, VEGF-C is unstable, breaks down quickly, and can cause side effects.
To solve this, researchers at NIPER Guwahati created reverse micelle nanocarriers that protect VEGF-C and deliver it directly to gut lymphatic vessels. The team at ILBS New Delhi then tested this in animal models of advanced cirrhosis.
What the Study Found
Published in JHEP Reports (2025), the results were striking:
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Ascites reduced by 62%.
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Portal pressure lowered by 32%.
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Lymphatic drainage improved by 150%.
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T-cell immunity boosted by 75%.
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Bacterial infections cut by 68%.
This wasn’t just symptom control. It showed that repairing the lymphatic system can restore balance, reduce complications, and strengthen immunity.
Symptom Control vs Disease Modification
| Aspect | Symptom Control (Current) | Disease Modification (VEGF-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Manage complications | Repair underlying dysfunction |
| Examples | Paracentesis, diuretics, and antibiotics | VEGF-C nanocarriers |
| Effect | Temporary relief | Long-term improvement |
| Impact on Disease | No — disease progresses | Yes — slows progression |
| Patient Experience | Invasive, repetitive | Oral therapy, at home |
? In short: current care bails water from a leaking boat. VEGF-C nanocarriers may fix the hole in the boat.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Therapies
| Approach | Target | Status | Limitations | VEGF-C Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antifibrotics | Reverse scarring | Failed in major trials (NEJM, 2020) | Complex biology, limited ascites effect | Works even in late-stage disease |
| Stem-Cell Therapy | Regenerate liver cells | Early trials (Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2021) | Costly, safety risks | Simple, scalable oral delivery |
| Microbiome Therapies | Gut bacteria balance | Helpful adjuncts (Gut Microbes Journal) | Don’t stop fluid build-up | Directly restores drainage + immunity |
| VEGF-C Nanocarriers | Lymphatic repair | Preclinical success (JHEP Reports, 2025) | Needs human trials | First disease-modifying option for ascites |
When Could Patients See It?
Medical breakthroughs take time to reach patients. The roadmap looks like this:
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1–2 years: Larger animal studies.
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2–3 years: Phase I safety trials in humans.
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3–5 years: Phase II–III trials for effectiveness.
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1–2 years: Regulatory approval.
? Earliest clinical use: around 2030–31.
? Widespread hospital use: by the mid-2030s.
? Why This Is a Sea Change
VEGF-C nanocarriers could transform cirrhosis care:
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From symptom management ? to disease repair.
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From invasive hospital procedures ? to oral therapy at home.
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From inevitable transplant ? to longer survival with better quality of life.
If proven in humans, this could do for cirrhosis what insulin did for diabetes — turn a fatal condition into something patients can live with.
? Why This Report Is Unique (ABC Live Sidebar)
What makes this ABC Live explainer different?
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We explain the science behind VEGF-C and nanocarriers.
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We share the data — real numbers on fluid, pressure, and immunity.
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We compare it with global approaches — antifibrotics, stem cells, microbiome.
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We project a realistic timeline for patients.
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We connect it to India’s public health burden.
? This isn’t just news — it’s an evidence-based roadmap for the future of liver care.
Why ABC Live Is Publishing Now
This breakthrough — led by Indian scientists and supported by the DST Nano Mission — is the first to show that lymphatic repair can treat cirrhosis. With cirrhosis among India’s leading killers, ABC Live is publishing this explainer to highlight a discovery that is not only a scientific milestone but also a potential revolution in healthcare policy and patient care.
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