In July, the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center earned recognition as a National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center, the 68th such center in the country.

Kentucky, which ranks first in the nation for cancer mortality and second for cancer incidence, is now home to a National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated cancer center—the University of Kentucky's (UK) Markey Cancer Center.

Awarded in July, the recognition means that the Markey Cancer Center will annually receive up to $1.5 million in additional federal funding, and its ability to attract grants and other monies will be bolstered. In addition, patients will be able to access treatments and clinical trials available only at NCI-designated cancer centers. The UK Markey Cancer Center becomes the 68th medical center in the country to receive the distinction.

Earning the designation has been a lengthy process involving the improvement of many of the facilities and research programs at Markey, says Mark Evers, MD, the center's director. “Luckily, we've had a tremendous amount of institutional and community support,” he says.

Since 2009, the cancer center has raised over $100 million to construct 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art research space, upgrade clinical facilities, and recruit 35 new faculty members.

Strong cancer screening and prevention programs helped the Markey Cancer Center achieve its new status. Many of these programs target the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky, which has some of the highest cancer rates in the United States. One NCI-funded program called “Faith Moves Mountains” takes investigators into rural churches to conduct cancer screening and research.

Peixan Guo, PhD, professor of nanobiotechnology at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and Markey Cancer Center and director of its nanobiotechnology center, is one of 35 new faculty recruits over the last 5 years.
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Peixan Guo, PhD, professor of nanobiotechnology at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and Markey Cancer Center and director of its nanobiotechnology center, is one of 35 new faculty recruits over the last 5 years.

Peixan Guo, PhD, professor of nanobiotechnology at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and Markey Cancer Center and director of its nanobiotechnology center, is one of 35 new faculty recruits over the last 5 years.
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Peixan Guo, PhD, professor of nanobiotechnology at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and Markey Cancer Center and director of its nanobiotechnology center, is one of 35 new faculty recruits over the last 5 years.

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One of the program's initiatives aims to improve cervical cancer screening rates by encouraging Appalachian women to get Pap smears. Appalachia has a 60% higher mortality rate for the disease than the rest of the country, yet mortality is almost 100% preventable through regular screenings. “The project has been very effective in increasing the number of women screened for cervical cancer,” says Evers.

In addition to these efforts, the Markey Cancer Center boasts strong basic research programs in colorectal, lung, and head and neck cancers, the three types of cancer most prevalent in Kentucky.

New drug development is also a focus of the center, including a project through which researchers collect soil samples from the state's old mines. Because the samples are taken from depths of up to 4,800 feet below the Earth's surface, they are a rich source of previously unstudied microbes. By isolating and identifying the natural products the microbes produce, researchers might find a new way to treat or prevent cancer. “We've already identified some potentially beneficial and novel natural compounds,” says Evers, who declined to name the compounds, as they are in an early phase of development.

For more news on cancer research, visit Cancer Discovery online at http://CDnews.aacrjournals.org.

©2013 American Association for Cancer Research.
2013