The new teams of scientists will bring federal funding of nearly $30 million (more than $11 million annually) in total grants and contracts to the UM SOM, which surpassed $400M in total research funding in 2016.

Many of the new scientists will be housed in the new 450K sq ft state-of-the art research facility on West Baltimore St., costing more than $300M, and which is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2017.The new SOM Research Building will feature among the most advanced laboratories and medical research technology found anywhere. Dean Reece pointed out that the new building is a major asset to the School's research portfolio and will be most appealing to leading scientists who wish to have a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting discovery-based medicine in a collaborative manner and at a very high level of sophistication.

"We are off to a tremendous start with the STRAP Initiative, and are very excited to be able to attract these firstteams of outstanding individuals who are nationally- and internationally recognized in their respective fields," said Dean Reece, who is also Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor."The University of Maryland School of Medicine is being recognized as a magnet institution for individuals interested in pursuing possible cures and treatments for the most critical and complex diseases that we face around the world."

The program is the most significant and ambitious effort to recruit scientists in the School's 210-year old history. It signifies an aggressive move by the UM SOM to advance in the top most echelon of leading biomedical research institutions in the nation. In particular, the School is targeting top researchers and physician scientists who will help to accelerate breakthrough discoveries in critical areas, including brain disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular-metabolic diseases. The initiative will lead to rich, collaborative research programs across the School of Medicine, the Campus and the University System, Dean Reece noted.

Experts in Lung Injury

Stephen N. Davis MBBS, the Dr. Theodore E. Woodward Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine; Jeffrey D. Hasday, MD, the Dr. Herbert Berger Endowed Professor of Medicine and Division Head, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; and Peter Rock, MD, MBA, the Dr. Martin A. Helrich Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology; with collaboration from Thomas M. Scalea, MD, the Francis X. Kelly Professor in Trauma Surgery, Director of the Program in Trauma and Physician-in-Chief at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center; and Scott M. Thompson, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Physiology, announced the addition of two top pulmonary scientists:

Konstantin Birukov, MD, PhD, comes to UM SOM from the University of Chicago School of Medicine, where he was an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care. He is a leading expert on the molecular mechanisms regulating lung vascular permeability, the role of mechanical forces and oxidized phospholipidome in development and recovery of lung function, and innovative strategies to prevent acute lung injury. Prior to the University of Chicago, he was a research associate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has authored or co-authored more than 120 peer-reviewed papers and reviews, as well as two book chapters, and has four patents. Dr. Birukov will have his primary appointment in the UM SOM Department of Anesthesiology, and a secondary appointment in the Department of Medicine, and serve as Director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Lung Biology Research Program.

Anna Birukova, MD, is a widely-published investigator in several areas, including the regulation of lung vascular permeabilityand inflammation by microtubules, microtubule-associated signaling molecules, and new ways to protect the lungs from acute injury. Prior to coming to UM SOM, she was also an Associate Professor of Medicine in theSection for Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Chicago. Prior to that, she was a research associate at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Shehas authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and reviews and has written three book chapters. Dr. Birukova will have her primary appointment in the UM SOM Department of Medicine and a secondary appointment in the Department of Anesthesiology, and serve as Associate Director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Lung Biology Research Program.

The team comes to the UM SOM with $4.35 million in total research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), (more than $2 million annually).

Top Investigators in Muscle and Tendon Formation

In the Department of Orthopaedics, Andrew N. Pollak, MD, the James Lawrence Kernan Professor and Chair, has led the effort to recruit a team of leading orthopaedics researchers:

Masahiro Iwamoto, DDS, PhD, is an acclaimed scientist who has focused on the development of articular cartilage, the regulation of bone growth, and the repair of muscle, cartilage and other connective tissue. Prior to coming to UM SOM, he was a Research Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Dr. Iwamoto has earned four patents, and has authored or co-authored more than 90 peer-reviewed papers.

Motomi Enomoto-Iwamoto, DDS, PhD, comes from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she was a Research Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery.She is an accomplished investigator who studies the cellular and signaling mechanisms that regulate skeletal development and function; the cellular pathways that lead to cartilage tumors and osteoarthritis; and the role of local progenitor cells in articular cartilage and tendon repair. Prior to CHOP, she was an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Iwamoto has earned four patents, and has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed papers.

The team joins the UM SOM faculty with more than $2.7 million in total research funding from the NIH ($675K annually).

Leading Neuroscientist in Brain Development

In the Department of Pharmacology, Margaret M. McCarthy, PhD, Professor and Chair, and Bankole A.Johnson, DSc, MD, MB, ChB, MPhil, the Dr. Irving J. Taylor Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, have announced the addition of a nationally-recognized neuroscientist:

Tracy L. Bale, PhD, is a leading expert on the links between stress and subsequent risk for neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and schizophrenia in offspring. Her innovative studies usemoleculartechniques to determine the mechanisms by which this may occur. Her studies ontheplacenta have revealed novel sex differences that may predict increased prenatal risk for disease in males.Prior to coming to UM SOM, she was a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, andtheSchool of Veterinary Medicine. She is the Co-Director of the Specialized Center for Research on Women's Health and Penn PROMOTES, and the Scientific Director for the BIRCWH K12. She serves as Chair of NIH study section, is a Reviewing Editor for the Journal of Neuroscience, and serves on the Congressional Committee on Gulf War Veterans Health.She has authored or co-authored more than 90 peer-reviewed papers.

Dr. Bale brings nearly $4.5 million in totalresearch funding from the NIH, ($1.9 million annually).

Top Team in Imaging and Spectroscopy

In the Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Elias Melhem, MD, the Dean John M. Dennis Chair in Radiology, has announced a team of top investigators from Hawaii.

Linda Chang, MD, MS, FAAN, FANA, is a highly-acclaimed physician-scientist coming to the UM SOM from the University of Hawaii, where she was a Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, as well as director of the school's Neuroscience and Magnetic Resonance Research Program. After graduating with an MD degree from Georgetown University, she became an Assistant Professor, and then an Associate, Professor of Neurology at the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles. Dr. Chang has done research on a range of topics, including how methamphetamine and other drugs affect the brain and cognition, the neurological effects of HIV/AIDS and how the aging affects the brain. Over her career, she has authored or co-authored 200 peer-reviewed papers, and has written nearly 30 book chapters and monographs. She has also delivered 175 lectures, grand rounds, workshops & symposia.

Thomas Ernst, PhD, was also a Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Ernst earned a PhD degree in physics from the University of Freiburg in Germany. He has focused on several areas of research, including the development of strategies to minimize motion sensitivity of magnetic resonance and other imaging techniques, and to improve the overall precision of these techniques; the use of imaging to study HIV-related brain disease, the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs and overall brain development. He has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, more than 10 book chapters, and has given dozens of lectures and seminars.

The team brings $9.2 million in total research funding from the NIH, (nearly $3 million annually).

Leader in Bioengineering and Artifical Organs

In the Department of Surgery, Stephen T. Bartlett, MD, the Peter Angelos Distinguished Professor and Chair in Surgery, and Bartley Griffith, MD, the Thomas E. and Alice Marie Hales Distinguished Professor in Transplant Surgery, announced that a top bioengineering scientist is returning to the UM SOM faculty.

Zhongjun Jon Wu, PhD, is an internationally recognized authority on the development of artificial organs, ventricular assist devices, blood pumps, artificial lungs and respiratory assist devices. He was an Assistant and Associate Professor at UM SOM from 2003 to 2014, when he became a Professor of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His primary areas of research are in blood flow, flow visualization, blood damage, cell mechanics, cardiac biomechanics, hemodynamics; biological responses to artificial organs in human and animals; and stem cell therapies for heart and lung diseases. He has earned or applied for 10 patents, has authored or co-authored more than 90 peer-reviewed papers.

Dr. Wu brings nearly $1.6 million in total research funding from the NIH, (more than $660K annually)

Academic Leader in Physical Therapy

In the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Mark Rogers, PhD, PT, Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, along with Department of Orthopaedics Chair Andrew Pollak, MD, announced the addition of top research scientist in physical medicine and rehabilitation science.

Li-Qun Zhang, PhD, is a Senior Research Scientist who joins the SOM faculty as Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science (PTRS), with a secondary appointment in the Department of Orthopaedics.Dr. Zhang was previously a Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University.He also served as Director of Ortho Biomech Research at Northshore University Health System and Senior Research Scientist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He is widely published and speaks internationally on his research related to biomechanics and biomedical engineering.

Throughout his research career, he has consistently received annual NIH funding and currently holds $2.7 million total in grants ($833K annually) from the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

University of Maryland School of Medicine is a Major Global Research Enterprise

With more than $400M in total extramural research funding last year, the School of Medicine now ranks among the top research intensive institutions nationally.Key advances since the UM SOM celebrated its bicentennial in 2007 include:

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Celebrating its 210th Anniversary, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as a global leader in accelerating innovation and discovery in medicine. The School of Medicine is the founding school of the University of Maryland and is an integral part of the 11-campus University System of Maryland. Located on the University of Maryland's Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine works closely with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide a research-intensive, academic and clinically based education. With 43 academic departments, centers and institutes and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians and research scientists plus more than $400 million in extramural funding, the School is regarded as one of the leading biomedical research institutions in the U.S. with top-tier faculty and programs in cancer, brain science, surgery and transplantation, trauma and emergency medicine, vaccine development and human genomics, among other centers of excellence. The School is not only concerned with the health of the citizens of Maryland and the nation, but also has a global presence, with research and treatment facilities in more than 35 countries around the world.http://medschool.umaryland.edu/

Media Contact: David Kohn dkohn@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-7590

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teams-of-top-scientists-to-join-university-of-maryland-school-of-medicine-as-major-recruitment-initiative-has-strong-start-300403816.html

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Teams of Top Scientists to Join University of Maryland School of Medicine as Major Recruitment Initiative Has Strong ... - PR Newswire (press release)

Imagine yourself in a veterinary surgeons examination room, bracing for the details of wound care, pain management and an exhaustive (and alarming) list of potential post-operative complications, when the doctor surprises you with an announcement: With luck, we can avoid surgery altogether.

Can this be true? Did you and your dog show up at the wrong appointment? Most of us who wield a scalpel for a living hope that the answer is no. In my opinion, surgery should be reserved for cases in which it is, handsdown, the best option or, barring that, something to fall back on when attempts at more conservative treatment have been exhausted. For me, it comes down to a simple philosophy: if the patient were my dog and there were some decent alternatives to going under the knife, Id be all for them.

However, things get complicated when we are a little too eager to embrace these alternatives. We become a marketers dream, easily swayed by anecdotal evidence and vulnerable to the allure of excessive optimism. In these heady veterinary times, as we are inundated by breakthroughs barreling down the medical pipeline, it pays to slow down and cast a critical eye on new options.

Take, for example, stem cell therapy for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis (OA). Debilitating joint pain, particularly when it is secondary to chronic hip dysplasia, accounts for a significant proportion of my caseload (more than 20 percent of dogs suffer from OA), and often spurs discussions about total hip replacement (THR). For the most part, THR is elective, the last trick in the bag when weightloss programs, physical therapy, acupuncture, joint supplements and a long list of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are no longer working. Now, a company named Vet-Stem is promoting another unique angle of attack: regenerative medicine.

Basically, the idea is this. Under anesthesia, your dog has some fatty tissue extracted. This sample is shipped to the companys lab, where it is processed to extract stem cells, which are then returned to your veterinarian. With your dog once again under sedation, these stem cells are injected back into his or her arthritic joints. Over 500 dogs have received stem cell therapy in the past six years with (according to the companys website) more than 80 percent of owners reporting improvement.

Blame my scientific training for a sense of wariness (and truly, this is not the same as skepticism). Its just that anecdotes, owner testimonials and feel-good videos of stiff, sore, geriatric dogs transformed into leaping puppies make me start hunting for the evidence- based data. When I combed the scientific literature for information on stem cell therapy in dogs, I discovered just two studies, both sponsored by Vet- Stem. Though this gives me pause, the overall results were impressive: statistically significant improvements in lameness, less joint pain and improved range of motion. There are, however, a few points worth noting.

Only 35 dogs were involved in the two studies; all the dogs were also on anti-inf lammatory medications, and the duration of effect was only taken out to 180 days. From my perspective, on paper, stem cells hold lots of promise for the treatment of OA, but Id like to see more independent studies, more patients and an absence of concurrent medications. Id also like to know how long a course of treatment is likely to last.

Naturally, the media are quick to tout the possibilities of a sexy new treatment, but when they do so at the expense of tried-and-tested surgical techniques, I find myself beginning to bristle. For example, Time magazine ran a story touting the merits of canine stem cell therapy while attacking the proven option of THR. It suggested that recovery from the surgery would take up to six months and would be four times as expensive as stem cell treatment.

Read more here:
Should you treat your dog with stem cell therapy? | The Bark

There is nothing magical or mysterious about how stem cell nutrition works, that is about how enhancing adult stem cell function can help repair or regenerate damaged tissue; it is simply human physiology. When you think about it, from the viewpoint that adult stem cells are the bodys natural repair system throughout life, it becomes less strange to think that augmenting the function of these cells could help a variant of conditions and improve a persons overall health.

Stem cell nutrition has nothing to do with consuming actual stem cells. .These cells (even in children) are known as adult stem cells. Adult stem cells still retain the capacity to divide, but they become quiescent until needed, rather than actively and rapidly dividing as embryonic stem cells do.

Stem Cell Nutrition has nothing to do with the highly controversial topic of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are stem cells that exist in an embryo before birth.

The possibility exists for embryonic stem cells to cause abnormal cell growth. As much as is known from research to date, this possibility does not exist for adult stem cells. To date, al conditions for which stem cell therapy has proven therapeutic have been from adult stem cells

Stem cells are "master cells" which have the ability to replace any sick, damaged or worn out cells - they can become virtually any type of cell in your body - heart cells, liver cells, pancreatic cells, muscle cells, brain cells..... even the cells in the eyes, the joints and more. Serving as a regeneration system, they divide without limit and travel throughout your body to support optical organ and tissue renewal. Many scientific studies indicate that increasing the number of circulating adult stem cells is probably the single most important thing you can do to maintain optimal health. Also, if you look at the New England Journal of Medicine, youll find that the number one indicator of a healthy heart is the number of stem cells circulating in the body.

Just think of all the potential benefits of releasing more stem cells into your bloodstream - the ramifications are astounding. The power of adult stem cells to support the body's natural renewal system is poised to become one of the breakthrough discoveries of our time.

Can Adult Stem Cells Cause cancer?

One concern is that the release of extra stem cells into the blood stream will cause cancer to spread faster. However, only embryonic stem cells have been linked with cancer growth. Cancer is induced by mutations that remove the normal checks and balances to cell proliferation that is normally found in a cell. A normal bone marrow derived stem cell cannot cause or contribute to cancer any more than any other normal proliferating cell anywhere in the body. Stem cells are not being introduced into the body. Their release is simply being triggered from the bone marrow.

This natural process has been occurring since birth and is responsible for the renewal and repair of tissues in our body. Stem cell nutrition also has a number of anti-tumor mechanisms including phycocyanin, which has been shown to have anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic (programmed cell death inducing) properties. It also contains chlorophyll, which likewise has demonstrated anti-tumour activity (probably a good part of the reason that green, leafy vegetables are healthy to eat). In addition to stimulating the release of additional stem cells from the bone marrow, stem cell nutrition also stimulates the release of natural killer cells; immune system cells that help our bodies rid themselves of infected and abnormally proliferating (cancerous) cells.

AFA (aphanizonenon flos-aqua) from the pristine Lake Klamath and scientifically documented to stimulate the migration of adult stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream read more about AFA supporting migration of adult stem cells .

Anti-Aging and Adult Stem Cells Adult stem cells play vital role in both health and disease Scientific anti-aging research shows adult stem cell release rates drop at an astonishing rate

The Benefits of Stem Cell Science to your Health The National Institute of Health have discovered that there are 74 treatable diseases using adult stem cells in therapy. When stem cell nutrition is used as a daily supplement over time,, the stimulation of billions of additional stem cells in the blood stream could be one of the safest and most efficient methods for maintaining optimal health that science has yet discovered.

Arguably the most exciting, promising and controversial medical research being performed today explores the potential of stem cells, unique cells that, when dividing, can produce either more cells like themselves or other specialized cells, such as heart cells, skin cells and neurons. Stem cells research is bringing the promise of regenerative medicine and miracle cures for such conditions as multiple sclerosis, blindness, heart damage and male pattern baldness.

Blood Stem cells: 25 Trillion blood cells exist in the blood and every second 2 million blood cells die and are replaced.Researchersfound that mice with defective bone marrow (damaged by radiation) could be restored by translates of marrow stem cells injected directlyinthe blood. The bone marrowtransplant, in essencerestored the bone marrow stem cells to functional and normal status.

What could be simpler! Enable the body to release its own adult stem cells and sit back and enjoy the amazing benefits that can result for optimum health, fitness and performance and to fight the effects ofageingand injury.

You take Health Insurance to cover your Hospital Expenses in case you are hospitalized. Wouldn't it be even better if you could avoid hospitalization through Optimum Health,Performanceand Fitness?

Your body produces Adult Stem Cells in the Bone Marrow. These adult stem cells which are the Master Cells have the ability to become virtually any type of cell in the body. Recent studies have found that adult stem cells can become Heart Cells, Liver Cells, Pancreatic Cells Muscle Cells Brain Cells... even cells in the eye, the joints and more. Results of many scientific studies indicate that increasing the number of circulating adult stem cells is probably the single most important thing you can do to maintain optimum health. Without them, your body's natural renewal process simply could not take place!

For a number of reasons, such as Growing Old, Stress (Physical, Emotional, Environmental) and Poor Diet, may take its toll on your body's ability to renew itself. Now there is a Natural Supplement that comes in capsules and when taken orally helps to Increase the number of circulating Adult Stem Cells in the body by 3 to 4 million (30%) within an hour of ingestion.

This exciting information was discovered so recently that most people-- even many doctors-- don't know about it yet! In essence here's what happens when a need develops in your body:

The tissue or organ in need sends chemical messages into the bloodstream; These chemical messages prompt the release of stem cells from the bone marrow; A second set of chemical messages sent by the tissue in need prompts the circulating stem cells to migrate into the tissue; proliferate and transform themselves into healthy cells of that tissue!

For those of us just wanting to be proactive and maintain optimum health or fight the effects of aging, injury and day to day wear and tear, a similar but steady release of our existing Stem Cells into thebloodstreamcan produce considerable health benefits.

When Stem Cell Enhancers are used as a daily supplement over time, the stimulation of the billions of additional Stem Cells in the blood stream could be one of the safest and most efficient methods for maintaining optimum health, that science has yet discovered.

Knowing what Adult Stem Cells do to the human body, does it not then make sense that having more of them in thebloodstreamwill undoubtedly have profound effects on your health,well-beingand provide way to slow down, or possibly even reverse the effects of aging?

Do you remember being a teenager and dancing all night?

Do you remember partying all night or playing sport all day?

How would you like some of that fun,energyand vitality back?

Maybe you just need more Stem Cells in your Body!!

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Animals and Stem Cell Nutrition. When there is an injury or a stress to an organ of your beloved pet or horse, compounds are released that reach the bone marrow and trigger the release of stem cells. As they do in humans, adult stem cells reside in animals bone marrow, where they are released whenever there is a problem somewhere in the body. Find out how you can help your best friend enjoy optimal health. Various conditions in animals are helped by stem cell nutrition

Eve-Marie Lucerne, a long time breeder and trainer of thoroughbred horses has been involved in holistic health care for many years. One of her horses was diagnosed at three years old with equine fibromyalgia and suffered with great pain and tiredness. Within 2-3 days she witnessed dramatic results on stem cell nutrition.............

The All Natural Rejuvenating Skin Serum. Stem Cell Nutrition has now expanded into the skin care industry. In August, 2011, an all natural rejuvenating serum that uses your own adult stem cells to decrease wrinkles and increase moisture retention and elasticity was launched in the United States, and subsequently in Australia. This is a mocha based fusion of the worlds most restorative ingredients and a blend of six cytokines that stimulate the proliferation and migration of the skins stem cells by more than 225%. This all natural formula has demonstrated the following dramatic results:

Decreased fine line & coarse wrinkles 25% in 28 days

Increased moisture retention 30% in 28 days

Increased elasticity 10% in 28 days

In healthy individuals, skin youthfulness is maintained by epidermal stem cells which self-renew and generate daughter cells that become new skin. Therefore, part of skin aging is caused by impaired adult stem cell mobilization from the bone marrow and the reduced number of adult stem cells able to respond to repair signals. This means that, if we increase the number of circulating adult stem cells, we can affect the epidermal stem cells.

Your skin's response to an increase in circulating adult stem cells. The most evident visual response in people's facial skin a few weeks after taking stem cell nutrition is that - it glows. People notice a smoothness and improvement in colour of their skin. Skin may also show improvements in age related and hormonal pigmentation, decreased bruising and increased elasticity and tone.

According to the US Department of Labor, there are approximately 38 million home based businesses in the US. Some 300,000 women start home based businesses every year. Entrepreneur magazine estimates that $427 billion is generated each year by home based businesses. A Money magazine survey found that 20% of home businesses had a yearly gross income of $100,000 to $500,000.

With frustrations building over the medical systems failure to address our daily health concerns, the demand for more natural methods of maintaining health without side effects is driving the tremendous growth of stem cell nutrition.

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Stem Cell Nutrition for Optimum Wellness

Just a few months ago, Cayennes situation looked bleak. Malnourished, abused and declared terminally ill with a baseball-size tumor, the young pit bull terrier was considered un-adoptable.

When Madison County Animal Control recovered Cayenne, they called Partners for Pets in disbelief. After Partners for Pets representatives rushed her to Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital in Collinsville, they called urgent care foster parent Mandy Marquis and told her it would likely be a hospice care situation.

When they found Cayenne, she was just 23 or 24 pounds, and probably just used for breeding purposes, Marquis says. Within a month of care, she was up to 50 pounds.

After taking Cayenne to the University of Missouri in Columbia for CT Scans, Marquis was given disheartening news: She was diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma, which is a rare and terminal cancer for both humans and animals.

The cancer had traveled into the tongue and lymph nodes. Cayenne was given only a couple of weeks to live.

Marquis saw something beyond the unspeakable neglect and devastating diagnosis.

Id never seen a dog with such a will to live before, she said. She was so full of life, despite everything.

Following Partners for Pets mantra of no animal left behind, Marquis began researching her options. She stumbled across HylaPharm, a chemotherapy development company and spin-off of the University of Kansas.

They just happened to be accepting dogs for trials, Marquis says. After I contacted them, they called back within two hours.

With social media buzz and the outpouring of community support, Partners for Pets 29,000 Facebook followers received news thats nothing short of miraculous: Cayenne, once thought to be terminal with both squamous-cell carcinoma and an unrelated diagnosis of blastoma after jaw pathology was completely cancer-free.

This joyful news, a breakthrough in cancer treatment, is being celebrated in both the Metro East and a few hundred miles westbound. HylaPharms patented HylaPlat was used to treat Cayennes carcinoma. Marquis made the drive to Kansas every third Friday an 18-hour journey for Cayennes injections.

There were no side effects, and a week after she started chemo, the mass starting falling out, Marquis says.

Dr. Shuang Cai, lab director at HylaPharm, says Cayennes tumor was one of the largest shed ever seen and is confident that the treatment, which involved four direct injections into the tumor, will serve as a bright and revolutionary moment in cancer treatment technology.

HylaPlat, which stemmed from a university project started in 2007, has gone through several stages of development over six years.

It started as the brainchild of chemist Laird Forrest and his team, says Dan Aires, CEO of HylaPharm and director of the Division of Dermatology at the University of Kansas. The spin-off company began in 2010, and our current team has been in place since 2011.

Aires says to understand how HylaPlat works, it would be best to think of the treatment as a cancer therapy burrito.

Hyaluronan, a long, squishy sugar found in both dog and human bodies, coats the outside while a traditional cancer therapy such as Cisplatin is contained within, Aires said. Cancer stem cells, which cause cancer to metastasize, tend to have the highest hyaluronan receptors, which allows the treatment to act kind of like a Trojan horse.

Aires explains Cayennes story is ideal in helping advance research into non-operable head and neck cancers, localized non-operable triple-negative breast cancer and cancers with lesions in bad operating areas, such as lung or colon cancer.

Were hoping to be able to do human research in about two years, Aires says.

Its literally like a movie, Marquis quips. From the pound to beating cancer.

Marquis is incredibly grateful for the financial and moral support of both the community who raised every penny for Cayennes operation and HylaPharm, who she lauds as being incredible to work with.

We made our $5,000 goal for Cayennes jaw removal in just a few days, Marquis said. I have to thank the May Team at Caldwell Banker Brown Realtors for matching each $1,000 donation and being her sponsors. HylaPharm also provided all of the chemo free of charge, as well as the hospital care at State Line Animal Hospital in Leawood, Kansas.

Marquis says showcasing Cayennes incredible story on Partners for Pets Facebook page and on YouTube as Cayennes Crusade sparked public interest and showed thousands of people theres always a reason for optimism in the face of adversity.

A lot of people thought she couldnt eat with her tumor, which was so far from the truth, Marquis said. The YouTube videos and Facebook photos showed people that she was a healthy, life-loving puppy with a cancerous mass, and that really moved a lot of people to action.

Cayenne is recovering from a Dec. 30 jaw removal surgery with antibiotics and pain medication to ensure everything heals properly. Just a week after the surgery, on Jan. 6, Marquis learned from the University of Missouri that all margins of the jaw removal were 100 percent cancer-free. Within a couple of weeks, shell be ready for adoption.

It pains me to let go of her after spending so many sleepless nights, but I know shes going to a great home, Marquis says.

Matty McKee, a veterinary technician at Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital, has followed Cayennes journey from the beginning and begged Marquis for the opportunity to adopt her.

He texts and asks how shes doing every day, Marquis said.

With a cold reality looming over Partners for Pets that theres always another dog tomorrow Marquis knows it wouldnt be right to hold onto Cayenne forever. As a travel buddy, workplace companion and loving inspiration, Marquis is confident Cayennes journey will continue onward with same resilient drive that helped her defeat terminal cancer.

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hylapharm.com

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Cayenne's journey - AdVantage News

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