Jan. 18, 2017 | Eighteen years ago, Gail Clayton received news that changed her life. Looking back, she says finding out she had breast cancer marked the beginning of new perspectives.

“When I was first diagnosed with cancer, it wasn’t the end of life as so many people think. To me, it was the beginning of life.”

Clayton and her husband, Raymond, have been married 46 years. He calls UAMS one of Arkansas’ best kept secrets.

“I don’t think people realize how amazing this institution is,” Clayton said. “You become friends with your doctors and nurses. It takes a village and I believe that village is right within these walls at UAMS.

She had breast cancer twice and was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. That prompted Clayton’s oncologist, Laura Hutchins, M.D., to refer her to gynecologic oncologist Kristin Zorn, M.D.

“Anytime we see a patient with a new diagnosis of cancer in the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the peritoneum (the internal lining of the abdomen), we think of a possible hereditary source for that cancer,” Zorn said.

Clayton and Zorn discussed genetic counseling and ultimately found Clayton had a mutation in one of the BRCA genes, commonly known as the breast cancer genes. Every person is born with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but women who inherit mutations of the genes have an increased chance of developing breast, ovarian, and other cancers.

Researchers’ knowledge about these genetic mutations has helped lead to development of a new class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors.

“PARP inhibitors capitalize on the genetic defect that’s already present in people who carry one of these mutations,” Zorn said. “It helps to kill the cancer cells that are accumulating DNA damage.”

There are three types of PARP inhibitors that have been FDA-approved over the past few years: olaparib, rucaparib and niraparib. Clayton is a part of a clinical trial that includes her taking olaparib.

“With PARP inhibitors, we first focused on people who carry a BRCA or similar mutation. We’re now finding many patients with ovarian cancer who do not have a mutation are responding to the drugs.”

Another advantage of this new class of drugs is that they can be taken orally rather than through intravenous infusion, making it more convenient for patients. This works especially well for Clayton who spends a great deal of her time seeing the world.

“If someone says go, we pack a bag and go.”

Since her first diagnosis, Clayton says she takes nothing for granted and began living in a way she may not have if not for the illness. She and Raymond Clayton have made lots of memories abroad. Sometimes their adult son Randy joins them.

“We’ve been to the Baltic States, Russia, Berlin, Sweden…”

She’s responded well to the clinical trial and shows no indications of slowing down.

“…England, Paris, the Caribbean, Ireland. It’s been a journey.”

“Part of the reason I’m so passionate about practicing at a place like UAMS, is that it helps us bring cutting-edge therapies to our patients,” Zorn said. “Sometimes we’re talking about a surgical advance, sometimes we’re talking about an advance in treatment.”

Zorn says genetic counseling and testing has become a standard of care in some of the most common gynecological cancers.

“While many parts of the country are having trouble keeping up with the change in the standard of care, UAMS has a genetic counselor embedded in our clinic so that we can accomplish that.”

“The way I see it,” said Clayton, “Even if the clinical trial didn’t work for me, maybe it would work for someone else. I’m grateful for the strides scientists have made in treating this disease.”

This clinical trial was developed through the NRG Oncology cooperative trial group of the National Cancer Institute. The only access to this trial in Arkansas is at UAMS.

Dec. 18, 2017 | After 40 years, Jerry and Sharon Moskwiak were ready to leave the cold Michigan winters behind.

They considered a move to their favorite vacation spot in South Carolina, but there was one catch: The nearest academic health care center was at least one hour away.

Because Sharon had worked for 35 years at the University of Michigan, including several years in their medical school, the couple was familiar with the advantages of receiving health care in an academic research setting.

And, because Jerry was a 25-year lung cancer survivor and lived with other chronic illnesses, access to quality health care was one of their top requirements when searching for a new place to call home.

That’s when they turned their sights to Little Rock.

“I grew up in Little Rock and knew the health care was exceptional. That was one of the main reasons we decided to move back here,” Sharon said.

After getting settled into their new home, the Moskwiaks set about finding a primary care physician. Their first and only stop was at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Arkansas’ only academic health care center. During one of his initial appointments, Jerry received some unexpected news that convinced them they had made the right move at the right time.

“The doctor noticed a spot on my chest X-ray, and the next thing I knew we were discussing a plan for chemo,” Jerry said.

The spot was diagnosed as a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma known as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). This type of lymphoma can be fast growing and is most commonly found in men older than 60.

He was referred to Appalanaidu Sasapu, M.D., a hematologist oncologist at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, who scheduled him for six rounds of chemotherapy to occur every 28 days. Sasapu also is an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the UAMS College of Medicine.

“Dr. Sasapu was very clear and told us exactly what his course of action would be. He was confident that what he was prescribing would work for me, and he was right,” said Jerry.

In fact, after Jerry’s fifth round of chemo in October 2016, Sasapu gave the couple good news: The treatment was successful, and he did not need to receive the final round.

“I’m very happy with Mr. Moskwiak’s progress. He is a wonderful gentleman who always has a smile on his face, and his wife is a great caregiver for him,” Sasapu said.

Unfortunately, the good news was short lived when a follow-up scan revealed that Jerry was now facing another challenge: His lung cancer had reappeared after 25 years.

“The first time Jerry was diagnosed, he had surgery to remove the upper lobe of his right lung. This time the spot was in the lower lobe of his left lung, and he wasn’t a candidate for surgery due to his other health concerns,” Sharon said.

After an unsuccessful attempt to freeze the tumor with cold gases in a process called cryoablation, Jerry began a course of radiation therapy under the direction of Sanjay Maraboyina, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology in the UAMS College of Medicine.

“Just like Dr. Sasapu, Dr. Maraboyina had a very positive attitude and prescribed an aggressive treatment plan. They both kept the ball rolling in the right direction,” Jerry said.

Maraboyina recommended a highly precise treatment known as stereotactic body radiotherapy at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center targeting the spot on his lung. This was again good news as only three treatments were required instead of a daily course over several weeks.

“Dr. Maraboyina was a godsend. The care I have received has been exceptional,” Jerry said.

Although both cancers are now in remission, Sasapu recommended Jerry undergo maintenance therapy with the immunotherapy drug Rituxan every two months for two years to keep the lymphoma at bay. With about one year left on that regimen, he is proud to say he feels great. “I’m more than happy with this outcome,” Jerry said.

Dec. 1, 2017 | Tina Farber arrived in Arkansas with one thing on her mind — meeting her two new grandbabies. Her son’s third child had arrived in April, and her daughter was expecting her third about one month later.

“I was planning to stay about two months,” said Farber, a native Arkansan who now lives in New Mexico. “I had a PET scan scheduled for July 7 and needed to return home in time for that.”

A stage 3 lung cancer survivor, Farber was considered to be in remission following surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in 2016. The PET scan was a routine follow-up to ensure the cancer had not returned.

Her plans were about to change, however, when she soon developed a cough, headache and fever, prompting a trip to the urgent care clinic. After returning to her daughter’s house with a diagnosis of pneumonia, Farber’s fever shot up to 102.4 degrees and the family took action.

“My daughter, Brittney, said to pack my bags. She was taking me to the hospital,” said Farber.

About a year earlier, while still undergoing chemotherapy, Farber also had made a visit to Arkansas. A bout with dehydration during her stay landed her in the UAMS Emergency Department, where she was impressed with the doctors and nurses who attended to her.

“Everything was in sync. They got me all taken care of. I told my kids that if I’m ever visiting again and need to see a doctor, don’t take me anywhere but UAMS,” she said.

After making the hour-long drive from her daughter’s home in Malvern, Farber again arrived at UAMS where she was quickly admitted and given the attention of a team of health care providers.

“Before I even got my wristband, they called me to triage and then immediately put me in a room where six people were waiting to take care of me. I was blown away,” she said.

After a series of tests, the doctor arrived with unexpected news. Lesions were found in her brain and bones that likely meant the lung cancer had spread.

“Once we found out the tumor had progressed to the brain and bones, we immediately got Mrs. Farber’s team together to carefully review her case and formulate an overall treatment plan,” said Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology in the UAMS College of Medicine.

That team included Xia, who specializes in radiation therapy for brain cancer; medical oncologist Konstantinos Arnaoutakis, M.D., who specializes in lung cancer; and orthopedic oncologist Corey Montgomery, M.D., who specializes in bone cancer. Other specialists in neurology and neurosurgery also were consulted as the treatment plan took shape.

“Having a team of physicians who work together efficiently and in a timely manner is particularly critical in cancer patient care. At the UAMS Cancer Institute, our doctors and nurses communicate instantly and continuously to coordinate our patients’ care at every step, from diagnosis and care management planning to treatment delivery,” said Xia, who also works closely with nurse practitioner Nikki Baxter, A.P.R.N., at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center.

Because radiation therapy requires daily treatments, Baxter is available to assist patients with symptom management and other issues that arise on a day-to-day basis.

“Communication and accessibility are the top priority with our patients. We all work together to provide the best care possible,” Baxter said.

That emphasis on communication and coordination have lightened the load for Farber and convinced her to postpone returning to New Mexico in favor of continuing treatment in her home state at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

“It’s hard to be away from my husband, but God put me here for a reason,” said Farber, who added that her family and long-time friends have offered endless support and encouragement during her extended stay in Arkansas.

“The doctors and nurses at UAMS have taken the time to get to know me. They all know my story, which is really important to me. I’m going to stay here and fight this battle because I know I’m in good hands,” Farber said.