HJAR Jul/Aug 2019

26 JUL / AUG 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs Peanut Allergy Research by Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, UAMS Scientists Published in the Journal of AmericanMedical Association The push for a therapy to treat peanut allergy continues as an international clinical trial con- ducted in part at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) is highlighted in a manuscript in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study features the work of allergy specialists at ACRI and the University of Arkan- sas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital were among 356 participants in a study con- ducted at 31 sites in five countries examining the effectiveness of a peanut skin patch patients wore daily for a year. The children ages four to 11 years old who enrolled in the Peanut EPIT Efficacy and Safety trial (PEPITES) either wore a Viaskin peanut patch, which exposed them to 250 micro- grams of peanut protein daily, or a placebo. More patients who were exposed to the pea- nut patch increased their consumption of peanut protein during food challenges when compared to consumption levels defined at study entry than did those who received the placebo – a treatment difference of 21.7 percent. Stacie M. Jones, MD, chief of Allergy & Immu- nology at ACH and a professor of pediatrics in the UAMS College of Medicine, says the study’s results give parents hope that options are on the horizon, but also act as a stark reminder of the daily threats of living without a proven treatment. “We see that some children do respond to this therapy, and that gives us hope that we are hon- ing in on a possibility that will change children’s lives,” said Jones, who is included as an author of the JAMA manuscript. “It’s imperative that we continue to study potential solutions like this patch because every opportunity gets us closer to a day when the accidental exposure to a tiny amount of peanut doesn’t have to be a child’s worst nightmare.” While the researchers found the 21.7 percent treatment difference to be a statistically signifi- cant outcome, the result did not meet the pre- scribed lower bound of the confidence interval criteria for a positive trial result, as recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “We know that some children saw a change in their protection level through this patch, which is encouraging,” Jones said. “The study also showed that the patch is a safe therapy with min- imal side effects, though it isn’t without risks.” Patients in both the treatment group and pla- cebo group experienced itching, redness, and swelling as common side effects. Serious reac- tions such as anaphylaxis occurred in 4.2 percent of the peanut-patch group and 5.1 percent of the placebo-patch group. “It’s very important that studies like this hap- pen in food allergy centers with experience keep- ing those patients safe,” Jones said. “This is not something that can be replicated safely outside that environment as we continue our journey toward an effective therapy for peanut allergy.” UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, Invested in Harry P. Ward Chancellor’s Distinguished Chair Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was invested as the third recipient of the Harry P. Ward Chancellor’s Distinguished Chair. Created in 2005, the Ward chair became the first chancellor’s chair endowed at an Arkansas univer- sity. I. Dodd Wilson, MD, who succeeded Harry P. Ward as chancellor in 2000, was the inaugural recipient, followed by Daniel W. Rahn, MD, who succeeded Wilson in 2009. Patterson has served as chancellor since June 1, 2018. Gov. Asa Hutchinson praised Patterson’s accomplishments since he joined UAMS, saying, “You’ve been able to build confidence in UAMS in terms of the budget and in terms of legislative support. We wanted to see answers, we wanted to see solutions, and Dr. Patterson came to us and he said, ‘This is what we want to do, and this is how we’re going to get there.’” “I’m so proud to be one of the many great peo- ple who have had the chance to hold the Harry Ward Distinguished Chair,” Patterson said. “The medals that we wear to exemplify these distin- guished chairs contain connections to each of these individuals, and the work that they did to make UAMS what it is, and these connections will continue as we do big things. We have so much more that we need to do.” “These connections ensure that we do what is necessary to provide for every Arkansan, and to ensure that, day by day and year by year, the people of Arkansas have better health and better healthcare,” Patterson said. “To me, that is what this medal embodies.” “I’ve known Cam for 30 years and he is bright, friendly, and an incredibly great friend,” said Steve Carpenter, MD, with the Center for Diges- tive and Liver Health in Savanah, Georgia, and academic chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in the Mercer University School of Med- icine at the Savannah Campus of the Memorial Health University Medical Center. “Dr. Patterson has said, ‘The mission of UAMS is not to make money. The mission of UAMS is to serve the peo- ple of Arkansas. We’ve got to be sure we stay on that.’ So if you stick with that, Cam, I think it’s going to work out just fine.” The chair is named for Harry P. Ward, MD, UAMS chancellor from 1979 to 2000, who is remembered as a “giant” in the history of health- care and higher education in Arkansas. Ward led UAMS’ transformation from a small med- ical school with a charity hospital into a health sciences university and research leader, with an annual economic impact in Arkansas of more than $4.5 billion. His wife, Betty Jo, attended Patter- son’s investiture. An endowed chair is among the highest aca- demic honors a university can bestow on a faculty member. A distinguished chair is established with gifts of at least $1.5 million, which are invested and the interest proceeds used to support the educational, research and clinical activities of the chair holder. Those named to a chair are among the most highly regarded scientists, physicians and professors in their fields. The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foun- dation provided the lead gift of $1 million for the chancellor’s distinguished chair, with support from other donors reaching $2.5 million. The chair pro- vides funding for the UAMS chancellor to use in recruiting faculty and administrators of the great- est possible caliber and vision. Prior to arriving at UAMS in 2018, Patterson was senior vice president and chief operating officer at Weill-Cornell Medical Center and Komansky Children’s Hospital/New York Presbyterian Hos- pital in New York.