The members of the Hematology/Oncology section of the Department of Pediatrics have maintained an interest in research, in the effort to improve care and expand knowledge regarding the various disease processes that are encountered by patients. One main venue for research has been the Children’s Oncology Group, in which all members of the Division participate. Collaborations with other LSUHSC faculty and Research staff are continuously being sought out and conducted. They have included:
- Cellular responsiveness, the role of arginine in the production of cellular response to cancer cells and anergy. (Drs. Augusto Ochoa and Arnold Zea)
- The role of acetylated glycation end-products (AGEs) in the development of short- and long-term complications of sickle cell disease. (Dr. James Hempe)
- The use of counterimmunoelectropheresis in the diagnosis of hemoglobin variants. (Dr. James Hempe)
- The role of ??? cells in improving immune function post HSCT. (Drs. Yu and Yan)
- Glucocorticord sensitivity in leukemia. (Drs. Wayne ???, Geng, Yu, Velez, Garner, and Singleton)
- The role of human- placental derived stem cells (HDPSC) in facilitating engraftment in cord blood transplantation. (Dr. Yu in collaboration BMT – CTN)
- Single vs. double cord blood transplant for pediatric patients with HR leukemia and MDS. (Dr. Yu in collaboration with BMT-CTN)
As noted, the division has been involved in a study on the new oral chelator, Exjade, and the study of an inhibitor of cellular dehydration, Icagen, in sickle cell disease. They also are members of the clinical trial of a novel molecular transcriptional inhibitor, produced by Biocryst, that has shown potential for the treatment of resistant or intransigent T-cell leukemia, and possibly resistant B cell malignancies. In addition, the division maintains a long-time interest in late-effects and a study of the reasons for their development. Clinical projects involving sickle cell disease, nutrition, alternative medicine, as well as studies entailing chart review, are currently in progress.