Clinical Trials Unit

The mission of the UAMS Department of Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit is to provide quality cutting-edge research to our patients in an efficient cost-effective manner using good clinical practice.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for a study, contact Joni Pharis at 501-603-1505 or email pharisjoni@uams.edu to set up an appointment.

Director: Donna Pellowski, M.D.

Faculty: Jay M. Kincannon, M.D.

Research Coordinator: Joni Pharis

Patient Recruitment
Volunteers are recruited from our high volume patient practices, as well as from the practices of other dermatologists around the state. We see patients at the UAMS Dermatology clinic, the General Clinical Research Center (sponsored by the National Institutes of Health), the Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System, and Arkansas Children's Hospital. We are affiliated with a National Institutes of Health General Clinical Research Center and are able to provide 24 hour in-patient nursing care when needed. We have the capability to perform any dermatological study although our primary focus thus far has been with studies with an immunological focus.

Location and Facilities
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is the state's only comprehensive academic health center. The University pursues its three-fold mission -- to teach, to search, to serve -- through educational programs in the Colleges, biomedical and biotechnology research initiatives, and clinical programs for patients at University Hospital and its affiliated clinics.

Why should I Volunteer?
Why should I volunteer in a clinical trial? By volunteering in a clinical trial, you are able to have access to new and improved treatments, often before the products are available to the general public. You also receive in depth medical treatment and testing that is free of charge to you. You will have knowledge to give informed consent of whether or not you want to participate in the study---you will know the risks and benefits of being in the study before you agree to participate. You will be allowed to stop any time you wish. Medical treatment pertinent to the study will be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while you participate in the study.

Patient Responsibilities
As a volunteer in a clinical trial, you will need to keep close personal follow-up with the study team (the study coordinators and the study doctors) Phases of Research for a new Medication.

Once a drug is thought to be safe and effective and ready for study in humans, an IND (investigational new drug) application is placed. After the IND is obtained, there are 4 phases of clinical trials. In Phase I studies, there are few volunteers and the studies focus on safety issues. The side effects of the drug are evaluated. In Phase II studies, the drug is tested to see if it really works---there are both safety and efficacy issues. The new drug is often compared to a placebo (dummy treatment). In Phase III studies, the drug is considered safe and now is being tested in many volunteers to see if it is safe and effective enough to be marketed as a new drug. In Phase IV studies, the drug may already have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The new drug is often compared to similar drugs available or the drug is studied to determine the effect on a volunteer's condition.

Clinical Trials Currently Available
We are currently recruiting subjects for a psoriasis study and a wart study. We have several other studies which will be open for enrollment in the near future. Please check back.
If you are interested in participating in upcoming studies, please contact Joni Pharis at 501-603-1505.

Connections
General Clinical Research Center
FDA
Drug Approval Process
Code Of Federal Regulations

New Drugs In Development - www.phrma.org or www.rddirections.com or www.clinicaltrials.gov or www.centerwatch.com

For more information about Clinical Trials Unit:

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit
4301 West Markham, Slot 576
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
(501) 603-1505 or Toll Free 1-888-800-1798