The objectives of the Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy are to (1) form a self- sustaining multidisciplinary research center within the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) that examines mechanisms of and prevention strategies for cancer-therapy-induced toxicity and (2) help junior investigators with a common research focus establish themselves as independent scientists. Achieving these goals will create a vibrant, synergistic research environment to comprehensively address the mechanisms of side effects of cancer therapy and to develop effective strategies to prevent such side effects. To our knowledge, few centers exist that focus on cancer survivors, and none take the paradigm-shifting approach of proactively addressing treatment-related toxicities. Specifically, this Center will provide an environment for young investigators to succeed as independent scientists (Aim 1); strengthen the overall research infrastructure at UAMS and the Cancer Institute (Aim 2); and ensure that the Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy becomes self-sustaining (Aim 3). The four initial Project Leaders are promising new/early-stage investigators with their own active research programs and established collaborations with fellow Project Leaders and/or mentors. All are in the tenure track with their own research laboratories, and all have been provided generous institutional startup packages by their departments. Opportunities will be provided by implementing individualized mentoring and faculty development plans and by offering guidance and support from an administrative and two scientific cores. A high likelihood of success is ensured by strong institutional support combined with active interest from funding agencies in improving quality of life among cancer survivors. To replace Project Leaders who achieve independence and graduate from COBRE support, a pipeline of new Project Leaders is ensured through institutional support for recruitment of junior faculty, combined with a structured pilot project program. Building strong Center cores and collaborations with existing institutional cores will also contribute to establishing the Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy as a self-sustaining center on campus. The Center's progress will be guided by External and Internal Advisory Committees and a Core Oversight Committee. The Internal Advisory Committee, comprised of individuals in key positions, with broad representation from across the institution and with a vested interest in the Center's achievements, will ensure the initial success of the Center as well as its long-term viability as an independent unit on campus.

Public Health Relevance

Many cancer survivors cured of their original malignancy suffer from treatment-related problems, ranging from mild psychosocial disabilities to life-threatening physical sequelae. Comparatively little effort has been directed toward determining the mechanisms that are responsible for side effects that persist after cancer therapy and at developing effective interventions to prevent them. This COBRE Center addresses these unmet needs and ensures that advances in oncology go hand in hand with efforts to optimize the quality of life of cancer survivors, thereby maximizing the number of uncomplicated cancer cures.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20GM109005-03
Application #
9249611
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZGM1-TWD-A (1C))
Program Officer
Liu, Yanping
Project Start
2015-06-24
Project End
2020-03-31
Budget Start
2017-04-01
Budget End
2018-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$1,904,629
Indirect Cost
$626,354
Name
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
122452563
City
Little Rock
State
AR
Country
United States
Zip Code
72205
Zhang, Xin; Zhang, Suping; Liu, Xingui et al. (2018) Oxidation resistance 1 is a novel senolytic target. Aging Cell :e12780
Alexander, Tyler C; Butcher, Hannah; Krager, Kimberly et al. (2018) Behavioral Effects of Focal Irradiation in a Juvenile Murine Model. Radiat Res 189:605-617
He, Liu-Jun; Yang, Dong-Lin; Li, Shi-Qiang et al. (2018) Facile construction of fused benzimidazole-isoquinolinones that induce cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Bioorg Med Chem 26:3899-3908
Kiaei, Mahmoud; Balasubramaniam, Meenakshisundaram; Govind Kumar, Vivek et al. (2018) ALS-causing mutations in profilin-1 alter its conformational dynamics: A computational approach to explain propensity for aggregation. Sci Rep 8:13102
Koturbash, Igor (2018) 2017 Michael Fry Award Lecture When DNA is Actually Not a Target: Radiation Epigenetics as a Tool to Understand and Control Cellular Response to Ionizing Radiation. Radiat Res 190:5-11
Luo, Yi; Shao, Lijian; Chang, Jianhui et al. (2018) M1 and M2 macrophages differentially regulate hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and ex vivo expansion. Blood Adv 2:859-870
Alexander, Tyler C; Simecka, Christy M; Kiffer, Frederico et al. (2018) Changes in cognition and dendritic complexity following intrathecal methotrexate and cytarabine treatment in a juvenile murine model. Behav Brain Res 346:21-28
Liu, Xingui; Wang, Yingying; Zhang, Xuan et al. (2018) Senolytic activity of piperlongumine analogues: Synthesis and biological evaluation. Bioorg Med Chem 26:3925-3938
Nukala, Ujwani; Thakkar, Shraddha; Krager, Kimberly J et al. (2018) Antioxidant Tocols as Radiation Countermeasures (Challenges to be Addressed to Use Tocols as Radiation Countermeasures in Humans). Antioxidants (Basel) 7:
Yadlapalli, Jai Shankar K; Dogra, Navdeep; Walbaum, Anqi W et al. (2018) Pinprick hypo- and hyperalgesia in diabetic rats: Can diet content affect experimental outcome? Neurosci Lett 673:24-27

Showing the most recent 10 out of 81 publications