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  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
  3. University News
  4. Page 3

University News

Annual Donation to UAMS Breast Cancer Program Brings Ashley County Cares Total to $358,000

LITTLE ROCK — Members of the grassroots group Ashley County Cares visited the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on Nov. 16 to present a donation of $35,000 for breast cancer research and outreach.

Since 2005, Ashley County Cares has worked in its community to raise $358,000 for breast cancer programs at UAMS. Representatives of the group traveled to the UAMS Cancer Institute to present their most recent donation — $35,000 to be used for breast cancer research and statewide outreach and education efforts.

Ashley County Cares President Donna Shields presented the check to UAMS Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D.

“Ashley County Cares is a remarkable group that has truly made an impact on breast cancer research and awareness in Arkansas. We are honored to accept their donation and to support their work on behalf of the women in our state,” said Emanuel, who also serves as a professor in the UAMS College of Medicine.

Joining them were Issam Makhoul, M.D., professor and director of the Division of Medical Oncology; Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D., professor in the Department of Surgery; and V. Suzanne Klimberg, M.D., professor and director of the Division of Breast and Surgical Oncology, all in the UAMS College of Medicine.

“We have all been touched by breast cancer and know how important it is to keep fighting for a cure,” Shields said. “We are happy to support UAMS’ research and outreach efforts across the state, as well as honor our own breast cancer survivors in Ashley County.”

Accompanying Shields were her fellow Ashley County Cares members Bernice Nelms and Kay Hartshorn.

The group’s donation was raised through their annual events, including two T-shirt sales, a dinner and auction, and the Armadillo Festival 5K run/1K walk.

Learn more about Ashley County Cares here.

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, UAMS News, University News

Donation from Gwatney Buick GMC Benefits UAMS MammoVan

Nov. 15, 2016 | A month-long promotion at a North Little Rock car dealership is helping provide mammograms for women across Arkansas.

During October, a portion of proceeds from sales at Gwatney Buick GMC were designated for the, a mobile mammography unit that offers screening mammography to women throughout Arkansas. The donation was presented Nov. 14 by Penny Burkhalter, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation board member and Gwatney advertising spokesperson, to Sharp Malak, M.D., director of the Mobile Mammography Program in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Radiology.

Malak, who holds a master’s degree in public health, also is assistant professor of radiology and epidemiology and director of the Breast Imaging Research Program at UAMS.

“We are so grateful for this donation in support of the MammoVan. When women have access to mammograms, cancers are caught earlier and treatments are more successful,” Malak said.

Burkhalter, who is a breast cancer survivor, joined the UAMS Cancer Institute Foundation Board of Directors in 2015.

“Everyone at Gwatney Buick GMC is supportive of this promotion and thrilled that we can help make a positive impact on the health of women in Arkansas,” Burkhalter said. This the third year for the dealership to donate a portion of its proceeds to benefit breast cancer programs at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

The MammoVan is outfitted with the most advanced digital mammography equipment and is staffed by a certified mammography technologist and a technical assistant.

Patients receive their test results within two to three weeks. Results also are sent to each patient’s primary care physician. If the mammogram shows a potential abnormality, the patient is referred for follow-up to the appropriate services.

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, UAMS News, University News

Patient Searches Nation, Finds Best Cancer Care at UAMS

Oct. 20, 2016 | When Don Marshall, 58, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to make sure he received the best possible care. He was considering traveling to California for treatment until he realized there was a state-of-the-art facility in his own backyard.

One year ago, Marshall went to a routine physical examination for an insurance company. The health care professional noticed his PSA (prostate specific antigen) test showed a higher than normal number, which is an indicator of possible prostate cancer.

“They had to do further tests. They eventually took a biopsy and found out that I was positive for prostate cancer.”

Marshall says he did what most people today would do: searched the web for articles and information to learn more about prostate cancer. He talked to several doctors about the treatment options he found available.

“I found out that proton therapy seemed to be the best out there and according to my research a facility in California was the place to go for the best treatment,” Marshall said.

Proton therapy treatment involves using a focused ray to destroy cancerous tissues while causing less damage to healthy surrounding tissues.

Marshall soon discovered that his insurance would not cover the cost of his treatment in California.

“I was going to find a way to pay and go anyway,” he said. “Because this is about my health.”

It wasn’t until he was on the phone with a health care professional at a Louisiana facility when he found out about a very similar treatment known as TomoTherapy. TomoTherapy combines intensity modified radiation therapy with the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scanning. The radiation beams are targeted precisely to the tumor on any given day and produce less harmful side effects than conventional radiation treatments.

Marshall said he had not heard about TomoTherapy until then and began reading about it.

“I immediately called UAMS and set up an appointment. I met with Dr. Peacock. I really liked him. He reassured me that you couldn’t go wrong with this type of radiation therapy.”

Loverd Peacock, M.D., is a radiation oncology professor in the UAMS College of Medicine. Board certified in internal medicine and radiology, Peacock is also a charter member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-South Division of the Arkansas Cancer Society.

Marshall came to the Radiation Oncology Center at UAMS every morning for 45 days. He says he couldn’t be happier with his results.

“The visits took about 15 minutes. It was painless.”

Marshall’s PSA test is normal and the cancer is gone. He says he feels better now and definitely recommends screening.

“A lot of people are afraid of what they are going to find. I’m the opposite; if there’s something wrong I want to find out what it is as soon as possible. The disease is there whether you want to know about it or not. You may as well catch it early when it’s easier to treat.”

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, Patient Stories, UAMS News, University News Tagged With: Loverd Peacock, prostate cancer, Radiation Oncology Center, TomoTherapy, UAMS College of Medicine, UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Instiute

Gala for Life Raises $1.2 Million for Cancer Research, Education

Oct. 6, 2016 | A glamorous bygone era briefly reappeared in Little Rock on Sept. 30 when the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute hosted its 21st annual Gala for Life.

The black-tie fundraiser raised more than $1.2 million and treated about 800 guests to the opulence of 1960’s Las Vegas, complete with showgirls, themed cocktails and an acrobatic “human chandelier” who poured champagne while suspended upside down in the center of the Statehouse Convention Center ballroom.

The Las Vegas-based Rat Pack Trio — featuring the looks and sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. — performed throughout the evening, and a Marilyn Monroe lookalike worked the crowd with the star’s flirtatious style. A surprise performance by the king himself rounded out the night, as an Elvis impersonator took the stage to cap off the evening.

“Even with all the fun and excitement our guests enjoyed, the real purpose of the Gala for Life is to raise much-needed funds for cancer research and education here in Arkansas,” said Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D.

A portion of this year’s net proceeds will benefit the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center, the only facility in Arkansas to provide radiation therapy for both children and adults. Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., is chair of the UAMS Department of Radiation Oncology.

The center’s faculty plan to use the event proceeds to expand their research projects and start a radiation oncology residency program designed to train the next generation of Arkansas’ radiation oncologists. Additional funds may be used for equipment upgrades or other needs.

Following an appeal for support via video from Arkansas Razorback head football coach Bret Bielema, guests spontaneously donated funds to send three pediatric radiation oncology patients and their families to the Razorback football game in Fayetteville on Nov. 5. The young patients joined event chairs Carol and Porter Rodgers Jr., M.D., on stage sporting hog noses and kicking off a rousing hog call by emcee and THV news anchor Craig O’Neill.

In addition to chairing the event, the Rodgerses joined Mary Kay and F.E. Joyce, M.D., and family in matching the table card donations received that evening, resulting in an additional $178,930 for the Radiation Oncology Center.

Presenting sponsors were the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation and Highlands Oncology Group. Click here to view a complete list of sponsors and here to view more photos from the event.

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, UAMS News, University News

UAMS and Little Rock Trojans Need Votes to Win up to $15,000 to Benefit Breast Cancer Organization

LITTLE ROCK – The public is invited to help fight breast cancer by voting online for a video featuring the dancing talents of doctors, nurses and others at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and members of the Little Rock Trojans.

The video to “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon was produced by UAMS and entered in the Medline Pink Glove Dance contest to raise breast cancer awareness.

Videos are posted on the Pink Glove Dance website and are judged on the basis of votes they receive. Voters are eligible to vote once a day Sept. 12-23 from each email address they have.

UAMS and the Little Rock Trojans teamed up to participate in the national contest sponsored by Medline, a manufacturer of medical supplies including pink gloves. The contest, which attracts entries from hospitals and organizations across the country, taps into the creativity, joy and hard work of caregivers from coast to coast.

Prizes are awarded as donations to cancer charities in the name of the winner. Any prize money received by UAMS and the Little Rock Trojans will be donated to the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The video features more than 100 UAMS doctors, nurses and staff, along with Little Rock Trojans men’s and women’s basketball players, coaches and staff wearing pink surgical gloves. Dancers featured on the video include UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.; UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D.; and media personalities from television stations KARK/KLRT, KATV and KTHV.

This is UAMS’ third year to participate in the Pink Glove Dance Video contest. In 2014, UAMS won the national contest in their category and donated $10,000 to the 20th Century Club’s Lodge.

Prizes include $15,000 for overall first place and $10,000 for first place in each of three categories.

The competition dates to 2009 when Illinois-based Medline Industries Inc., which manufactures and distributes health care supplies, turned everyday exam gloves from green to pink and launched an aggressive breast cancer education campaign to help make detection exams less intimidating and remind nurses about the importance of creating a comfortable, friendly and open dialogue with their patients.

A few years later, Medline created the Pink Glove Dance video competition to celebrate hope for a cure and honor all who have been affected by the disease. The competition has inspired more than 1,000 dance videos and raised nearly $2.5 million for breast cancer prevention and free mammograms for women in need through the National Breast Cancer Foundation and other charitable organizations across the country. More than 200,000 people participated in Pink Glove videos nationwide in 2015.

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, News Release, UAMS News, University News

Radiation Effects Expert Martin Hauer-Jensen Invested in J. Thomas May Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology

Sept. 1, 2016 | The family of the late William E. “Bill” Clark has given $300,000 to establish a distinguished endowed chair in honor of J. Thomas May in which world-renowned radiation effects expert Martin Hauer-Jensen, M.D., Ph.D., was invested Aug. 29 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Hauer-Jensen, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences, surgery and pathology, is director of the Division of Radiation Health in the UAMS College of Pharmacy.

A distinguished endowed chair is the highest academic honor a university can bestow on its faculty and is established with gifts of $1.5 million or more to support the educational, research and clinical activities of the chairholder. Those named to a chair are among the most highly regarded scientists, physicians and professors in their fields of expertise.

The J. Thomas May Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology was funded by the family of Clark, who was chairman and CEO of CDI Contractors in Little Rock, to honor his friend May, former CEO of Simmons First National Corp.

“The Clarks’ generous gift ensures that UAMS can continue providing the highest quality oncology physicians and researchers in Arkansas. Bill Clark and Tommy May share a legacy of dedicated service,” said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. “Their friendship is a wonderful testimony to the importance of relationships and the power of two friends sharing a common goal to improve the future of health care for others.”

An endowed chair was established in 2006 with $1 million from Bill and Margaret Clark. Bill Clark died of cancer one year later. The initial investment grew by $200,000 over the last decade. In June, Margaret Clark, and her son, William E. Clark II, chairman of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board, gave another $300,000 to elevate the chair to a distinguished endowed chair. It is the first distinguished endowed chair for a faculty member of the UAMS College of Pharmacy.

“We thank the Clark family from the bottom of our hearts for this additional gift. This will benefit our oncology program from now on into the future,” said Peter Emanuel, M.D., executive director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

Bill Clark, a former member of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board, became friends with May when the two served together for nine years on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. “It was a friendship like I’d never seen before,” Margaret Clark has said.

A resident of Pine Bluff, May has an extensive background in civic and community service, for which he has received numerous awards, and served on the UAMS Department of Psychiatry capital campaign steering committee. He holds an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

In addition to Rahn, Emanuel and William E. Clark II, speakers at the ceremony included Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., UAMS provost and chief academic officer; Keith M. Olsen, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy; and James W. Hardin, Ph.D., chief scientific and administrative officer for SunEcoEnergy Inc., who formerly worked with Hauer-Jensen at the UAMS Cancer Institute. University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt, Ph.D., was also in attendance.

Hauer-Jensen was presented with a commemorative medallion by Rahn and Olsen.

“I thank the Clark family and Tommy May for making this distinguished endowed chair possible, and Peter Emanuel for organizing it. I am looking forward to working with Dean Olsen to enhance the competitiveness of the Division of Radiation Health,” Hauer-Jensen said.

“None of this would be possible without my family,” he continued. “I’ve had many long nights, many business trips, and many weekends that I could not be with them, and I give them my sincere, heartfelt thanks.”

Gardner, who was dean of the College of Pharmacy when Hauer-Jensen was recruited, praised his leadership and his work mentoring a new generation of researchers. “I have been looking forward to this day for almost a decade,” Gardner said. “Martin’s strong leadership and vision are what draw people to this division. He’s not just an internationally recognized scientist; he’s a visionary, a mentor, a leader, and a coach.”

Hauer-Jensen is an internationally recognized authority on normal tissue radiation responses. His research focuses on determining mechanisms of injury and developing strategies to prevent adverse effects after radiation therapy in cancer patients, to make radiation therapy for cancer safer and more effective.

He joined the UAMS faculty in 1990 to launch a career in academic surgery. In 2008, Hauer-Jensen moved from the College of Medicine to the College of Pharmacy and was appointed associate dean for research and director of the newly formed Division of Radiation Health in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Hauer-Jensen is president of the Radiation Research Society and serves on numerous national and international advisory boards, review panels and editorial boards.

At UAMS, he co-leads the Host Response and Radiation Sciences program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. He has been chair of the Radiation Study Section of the National Institutes of Health, a consultant on radiological emergencies to the World Health Organization, and a member of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements.

He has published more than 250 scientific papers and has received peer reviewed research funding for more than 20 years. He is the recipient of the coveted MERIT Award from the National Cancer Institute.

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, News Release, UAMS News, University News Tagged With: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Donald Bobbitt, Keith Olsen, Martin Hauer-Jensen, Peter Emanuel, Stephanie Gardner, UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, uams college of pharmacy, UAMS Department of Psychiatry, UAMS Division of Radiation Health, UAMS Foundation Fund Board, UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute

UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Benefits from QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale”

Aug. 25, 2016 — The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) got a boost in the fight against breast cancer with funds generated by QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale,” held in October 2015.

Supporting breast cancer research and education institutions nationwide, the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and QVC selected the UAMS Cancer Institute as one of the nine beneficiaries of the 2015 event. FFANY and QVC representatives presented a check in the amount of $320,000 to Kent Westbrook, M.D., Cancer Institute co-founder and distinguished professor in the UAMS College of Medicine, along with other UAMS representatives.

“It’s an honor to be one of only nine cancer centers across the country chosen to participate in this annual event. Support such as this helps us educate women in Arkansas about the importance of breast cancer screening while also continuing our search for better treatment options,” said Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D. During the course of 17 years, the UAMS Cancer Institute has received more than $5.6 million in donations resulting from this sale.

Since its inception, QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” has sold more than 1.8 million pairs of shoes and generated more than $50 million to benefit leading breast cancer research and education institutions. Designated as the event’s “Special Pink Benefactors,” Nine West Group, Caleres, Camuto Group and Marc Fisher Footwear each donated shoes worth more than $500,000. Their contributions included brands such as Nine West, Anne Klein, Easy Spirit, Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Naturalizer, Vince Camuto, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Jessica Simpson, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger and Ivanka Trump.

QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: QVCA, QVCB), is the world’s leading video and ecommerce retailer. QVC is committed to providing its customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is distributed to approximately 358 million homes worldwide through operations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France and a joint venture in China. Based in West Chester, Pa. and founded in 1986, QVC has evolved from a TV shopping company to a leading ecommerce and mobile commerce retailer. The company’s website, QVC.com, is ranked among the top general merchant Internet sites. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.

The Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation was created to support ongoing research and education programs in the fight against breast cancer and is supported by members of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY). Donated footwear is sold on live television through QVC during the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation’s annual charity benefit, QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale.” Funds are distributed to leading breast cancer research and education institutions across the United States, including beneficiaries for the 2015 event: The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Breast Oncology Program, The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Breast Cancer Research Program at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. The Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation makes its home at 274 Madison Avenue, Suite 1701, New York, NY 10016, www.FFANY.org.

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, News Release, UAMS News, University News

UAMS Cancer Institute Hosts Cancer Moonshot Summit

July 1, 2016 | If you truly want to make a difference, why not shoot for the moon?

That’s the thinking behind the national Cancer Moonshot Initiative, an effort announced by President Barack Obama at the 2016 State of the Union address. The goal of the initiative is to double the rate of progress in cancer research by making a decade’s worth of advances in the next five years.

With Vice President Joe Biden at the helm, the initiative’s task force is focused on forming collaborations across private and public sectors and maximizing the impact of federal investments, patient engagement and targeted incentives.

With task force’s final recommendations due to the president by the end of year, Biden issued a historic challenge to cancer centers and other organizations across the country: Host local summits and events on June 29 to gather input on how to meet the president’s charge.

The local events would be an offshoot of the national Cancer Moonshot Summit hosted by Biden on the same day at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The results were overwhelming. More than 7,400 individuals gathered at more than 270 events in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam. Of those events, 39 were conducted at cancer centers, including the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

“We were honored to host Arkansas’ summit and be a part of this important national effort. This truly was a statewide effort, with 143 participants from across the state gathering to discuss the future of cancer research and care,” said Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D.

The UAMS event began with a large group session led by moderator Richard Nicholas, M.D., professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and director of the Center for Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors.

In his remarks, Nicholas outlined the goals of the national Cancer Moonshot Initiative and the role of the local summits. “Today, we are joining with thousands of cancer survivors, researchers, advocates, health care professionals and others to add our voice to this urgent national cause,” he said.

Participants viewed a video of Biden’s speech from earlier that day at the national summit in which he outlined progress made by the task force and goals for the future. Following the video, small groups formed to discuss topics related to cancer survivorship, advocacy, research and philanthropy.

“Our small group discussions were insightful and spirited. Not only did we get productive suggestions to report back to the White House, we also found new ways to work together here in Arkansas to better improve our patient care and research efforts,” Nicholas said. Read the full report here.

Major discussion points and recommendations included:

  • The need for expanded availability and access to clinical trial information through a comprehensive national database and on-site education for patients.
  • The importance of patient navigation programs to assist newly diagnosed patients in understanding and moving through the health care system.
  • The need for scientists to have a variety of public and private funding sources available that improve overall accountability and transparency in research.
  • The impact of private philanthropy on access to cancer care in local communities through funding telehealth programs, clinic expansions, and mobile vans for screening and other services.
  • The value of providing a network of support to patients through access to palliative care professionals, social workers and survivor networks.
  • The importance of using social media and face-to-face interactions to share information about clinical trials, support groups, prevention programs and survivorship services.

Small group discussion leaders included:

  • Research group co-facilitators Thomas Kieber-Emmons, Ph.D., a professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Pathology, and Pat Travis, M.D., a hematologist/oncologist at Highlands Oncology Group in northwest Arkansas
  • Advocacy group co-facilitators Robin Dean, coordinator of the UAMS Cancer Institute Auxiliary Cancer Support Center, and Miriam Karanja, director of programs at the Arkansas Cancer Coalition
  • Survivorship group co-facilitators Issam Makhoul, M.D., director of the UAMS Division of Hematology/Oncology, and Carrie Calhoon, oncology social worker
  • Philanthropy group facilitator Kent Westbrook, M.D., distinguished professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Division of Surgical Oncology

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, UAMS News, University News

Showcase Features Research Using Natural Products

June 9, 2016 | Ten projects highlighting the use of natural products in medical research were on display June 1 at the latest Showcase of Medical Discoveries wine-and-cheese reception hosted by the UAMS College of Medicine and vice chancellor of research. The event was the 14th reception in a series created to foster communication and collaboration among UAMS investigators and clinicians. Participants included faculty members, student trainees, postdoctoral researchers, research staff and other guests.

“Natural products from plants and animals are a rich source for novel drugs that can be used to treat and identify mechanisms underlying human disease. Through this event, we hope to connect UAMS researchers with diverse backgrounds and accelerate the drug discovery process,” said Lawrence Cornett, Ph.D., UAMS vice chancellor for research.

Posters at the showcase, which was held at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, used text and graphics to portray data and  conclusions from months of work by researchers.

Peter A. Crooks, Ph.D., a featured speaker at the event, was eager to promote the benefits of natural products to medical research. “My interests lie in investigating the biological properties of plants,” said Crooks, whose drug discovery research includes work with natural plant products to combat methamphetamine and tobacco addiction.

Crooks was trained in natural products chemistry and serves as professor and chairman of the UAMS Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy.

Fellow researcher Cesar M. Compadre, Ph.D., shared information on his research that investigates the cancer-fighting properties of a plant native to southern Ecuador. “This particular plant is typically used to fight infection, but we have shown it also has the ability to kill leukemia stem cells,” said Compadre, who has conducted extensive research on bioactive compounds of natural origin. He also is a professor in the UAMS Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Another participant, Michael Borrelli, Ph.D., presented the work of his research team, which includes Crooks and graduate assistant Zheng Chen, on the natural drug parthenolide to inhibit the growth of liver tumor cells. In their research, liver tumors treated with the drug exhibited a significant decrease in volume in only nine days. Borrelli is a professor in the UAMS Department of Radiology in the College of Medicine.

These projects and others represented at the event were:
• A Useful Rice By-product for Radiation Protection by Kimberly J. Krager, Mary Kordsmeier, Luke Howard, Philip J. Breen, Cesar M. Compadre, Martin Hauer-Jensen, Nukhet Aykin-Burns

• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) Extract Dose-Dependent Growth Inhibition of H. pylori Bacteria and Effects of H. pylori on Gastric Cell Free Amino Acid Concentrations by Nimasha Fernando, Aime T. Franco, Howard P. Hendrickson

• Transarterial Chemoembolization with Parthenolide in a Rat Liver Tumor Model induces Tumor Regression without any detectable Liver or Systemic Toxicity by Zheng Chen, Peter A. Crooks and Michael J. Borrelli

• Natural Compounds in the Prevention and Treatment of Radiation-induced Heart Disease by Marjan Boerma, John Seawright, Preeti Singh, Maohua Cao and Viji Mohan Seenivasan

• Development and Commercialization of Tocol-containing Pharmaceuticals Derived from, or Inspired by, Natural Products by Philip J. Breen, Nukhet Aykin-Burns, Shraddha Thakkar and Cesar M. Compadre

• Dehydroleucodine a Sesquiterpene Lactone from Gynoxysverrucosa Demonstrates Cytotoxic Activity Against Human Leukemia Cells by Paola E. Ordóñez, Krishan K. Sharma, Laura M. Bystrom, Maria A. Alas, William F. Reynolds, Raul G. Enriquez, Darcy C. Burns, Omar Malagón, Darin E. Jones, Monica L. Guzman and Cesar M. Compadre

• Rapid Pharmacokinetic Screening of Lobelane and Lead Lobelane Analogs in Rats via Cassette Dosing by ZAF Albayati, M. Sunkara, A.J. Morris, L. Dwoskin, and P. A. Crooks

• Metformin and Soy Bioactives Limit the Frequency of the CD133+CD44+ Epithelial Sub-population in Human Colon Cancer Cells by Maria Theresa E. Montales, Adam R. Brown, Rosalia C.M. Simmen and Frank A. Simmen, Ph.D.

• The Vitamin E Analog Gamma Tocotrienol (GT3) Suppresses Ionizing Radiation- and/or Microgravity-Induced Cytogenetic Damage: Possible Role of RAD50 by R. Pathak, A. Bachri, S. P. Ghosh, I. Koturbash, G. A. Nelson, M. Boerma and M. Hauer-Jensen

• Comparative Pharmacokinetics of S-(-)-Nornicotine and S-(-)-Nicotine after Transdermal Application by Zaineb A. F. Albayati, Buchi Nalluri, Philip J Breen and Peter A. Crooks

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, UAMS News, University News

Cancer Institute Auxiliary Awards Grants, Announces New Officers

June 7, 2016 | Seventeen patient support programs have been awarded grants by the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary.

The grants total $144,119 and represent proceeds from the auxiliary’s two fundraising programs — Partners Card and the auxiliary-run Cancer Institute Gift Shop.

In addition, new officers for 2016-2017 were elected at the auxiliary’s spring luncheon and annual meeting May 19. Officers are Kimberly Pickett, president; Tara Smith, president elect; Kenan Keyes, recording secretary; Cheryl Johnson, corresponding secretary; and Jake Eddington, treasurer.

Cancer Institute Auxiliary members provide day-to-day patient support services by greeting and escorting guests, serving snacks, assisting with cancer screening events, and working in the gift shop and Patient Support Pavilion. Other members participate in a variety of auxiliary-sponsored events throughout the year.

Projects receiving grants are:

  • Cancer Institute Supplemental Pantry
  • Oncology Massage for Cancer Institute Patients and Caregivers
  • Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screening
  • Free Wigs and Caps for Cancer Institute Patients Experiencing Hair Loss
  • Subscriptions for Print Materials in Patient Support Pavilion
  • Program Support for Northwest Arkansas Cancer Support Home
  • Tobacco Cessation Program
  • Information and Education Binders for Patients
  • Knitting Supplies for Sit and Knit
  • Gift Cards for Service Recovery
  • Integrative Therapies and for Cancer Patients and Caregivers/Yoga for Healing and Rejuvenation
  • Cancer Institute Patient Support Fund
  • Palliative Care Education and Bereavement Support Fund
  • Patient Assistance Program – Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith
  • HOPE Cancer Resources in Northwest Arkansas for Emergency Assistance Program
  • Patient Safety and Cancer Treatment Support through CPR Readiness
  • Envoy Ambassador Program

Filed Under: Cancer Featured Stories, UAMS News, University News

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Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute LogoWinthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer InstituteWinthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Address: 449 Jack Stephens Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205
Parking Deck: 4018 W Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205
Appointments : (501) 296-1200
Referring Physicians: (501) 686-6080
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