LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Patients of UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center have access to the state’s largest cancer clinical trials network through the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute — Arkansas’ only academic cancer research center with more than 150 scientists focused on high-incidence cancers affecting Arkansans.
With over 200 active interventional treatment trials, including novel immunotherapies, cellular therapies and bispecific antibodies, patients have access to cutting-edge options unavailable elsewhere in Arkansas — offering hope for those whose cancers have not responded to standard treatments.
“Patients battling cancer at UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center have the incredible opportunity to participate in clinical trials, which not only aids their treatment but also supports future patients,” said Dr. Anusha Jillella, a medical oncologist at UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center. “The knowledge we acquire from today’s clinical trials enhances treatment options for those who will come after.”
“We have patients from every county in Arkansas enrolled in a clinical trial here,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. “Cancer therapies are advancing rapidly, particularly in treating rare cancers and many solid tumors where few options existed before.”
The Cancer Institute houses the state’s only academic Phase 1 Cancer Clinical Trials Unit and is a member of the Southwest Oncology Group, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and NRG Oncology — all National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported organizations within the U.S. National Clinical Trials Network.
Clinical trials currently available to UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Center patients through the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute include those studying new therapies for:
- Recurrent or advanced HER2-negative breast cancer
- Early triple-negative breast cancer
- Bladder, brain, cervical, colon, rectal, gastric and esophageal cancers
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Low-grade serous ovarian cancer
- Head and neck cancers
- High-risk prostate cancer
- Blood cancers including multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and T-cell lymphomas
There is no direct cost to patients to participate in a clinical trial. All fees are billed through insurance.
Patients and physicians should call (501) 686-8288, email CancerClinicalTrials@uams.edu or search for open clinical trials online at cancer.uams.edu/clinical-trial/find-a-clinical-trial.
In 2024, more than 43,000 new cancer clinical trials were registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. That same year, the FDA approved more than 60 new oncology therapies, including 11 first-in-class drugs, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Each of these approvals was built on the foundation of clinical trials.
About Baptist Health
For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 250 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app.
About UAMS
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,485 students, 915 medical residents and fellows, and seven dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 11,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.