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Tag: National Center for Toxicological Research

Breakthrough: 3 Ways Liquid Biopsy Can Revolutionize Treatment for Lung Cancer

Posted on by Jeremy Harper

Each year, 215,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer. The epidemic is especially burdensome to Arkansas with death rates far higher than the national average. A lung biopsy – an invasive procedure needed to diagnose lung cancer – is both uncomfortable, risky for the patient, and expensive. But promising research conducted by in-state institutions is changing the game.

Through a partnership between UAMS, UA Little Rock, UAPB, UA, Arkansas Research Alliance, and the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), a new technique is being developed for diagnosing lung cancer – liquid biopsy. Unlike traditional biopsies, liquid biopsy is non-invasive, performed through a routine blood draw.

How does this pioneering medical research impact Arkansas? We’ll give you three reasons.

  1. A significant cut in medical costs. Nearly 2,800 Arkansans are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. The average cost of a traditional lung biopsy is $3,700. A liquid biopsy, which is not a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia, is far less expensive.
  2. Treatment (and outcomes) will improve. Liquid biopsies grant caregivers the unique ability to regularly monitor a patient’s response to therapy. In addition, disease recurrence is detected much sooner by a liquid biopsy versus conventional medical imaging.
  3. Arkansas receives an economic shot in the arm. The state is just scratching the surface of medical innovation and drug discovery, a multi-billion dollar industry. Innovations like liquid biopsy position Arkansas as an emerging med-tech hot spot.

Arkansas Research Alliance collaborates closely with in-state research institutions like UAMS, NCTR and the state’s other research universities so that science is allowed to flourish. Supporting research like liquid biopsy is crucial to Arkansas’ economy, reputation and health.

If you would like to contact this core facility, please fill out the "Facility Contact Form" on the right of this page. This contact method helps ARA measure the success of the CFE in connecting potential collaborators and will flow directly to the core director’s email inbox.

Arkansas State University pays a visit to NCTR

Posted on by Jeremy Harper

On February 5, a research contingent from Arkansas State University dropped in for an official visit to the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). Located in Jefferson County, AR, NCTR is the only FDA center located outside of Washington D.C, playing a critical role in the missions of FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to promote and protect public health.

Dr. Angel Paredes demonstrates one of five electron microscopes used at NCTR.

Visiting from A-State was Dr. Mohammad Abrar Alam, assistant professor of chemistry and Dr. Jonathan Merten, assistant professor of chemistry. The two professors wished to foster valuable collaboration between Arkansas State’s research programs and the host of resources available at NCTR.

Arkansas Research Alliance works diligently to facilitate meaningful collaborations between the state’s scientists, research facilities and government agencies. ARA’s efforts not only strengthen the state’s scientific profile, but helps to aid Arkansas’ economy through innovation and talent retention. Keep updated on ARA projects by joining our LinkedIN page.

 

If you would like to contact this core facility, please fill out the "Facility Contact Form" on the right of this page. This contact method helps ARA measure the success of the CFE in connecting potential collaborators and will flow directly to the core director’s email inbox.