A leading expert in bladder and prostate cancer, George Hemstreet, III,
M.D., Ph.D., has been named the Malashock Chair in urologic surgery, chief
of the section of urologic surgery and professor of surgery, at the University
of Nebraska Medical Center.
A native of the Netherlands, Dr. Hemstreet joins UNMC after serving
20 years as a George Lynn Cross Research Professor of Urology at the University
of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Dr. Hemstreets career
in academic medicine also includes one year at Duke University Medical
Center, four years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and two
years at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
While at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Hemstreet lead a multidisciplinary
research team to develop new methods for quantifying proteins in single
cells. This research led to further understanding some of the fundamental
concepts related to cancer development in its earliest stages. Utilizing
this technology, while working with the World Health Organization Center
and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine in Beijing, China, the research
team of more than 20 scientists was able to predict those individuals at
risk for bladder cancer three to five years prior to clinically detectable
disease.
The fundamental concepts for implementing this international study were
based on Dr. Hemstreets extensive research, which includes more than 104
articles in scientific journals, 16 book chapters, 143 abstracts and presentations,
and 10 patents. While at the University of Oklahoma, he also started his
own company, CytoDiagnostics Inc., later renamed UroCor Inc. The company
served as the cornerstone for a research park in Oklahoma City, which was
developed in conjunction with community leaders and now has grown to include
four buildings.
With the exception of one year at a seminary in Wyoming, Dr. Hemstreet
lived in the Netherlands until he was 18 years old. He received his higher
education in the United States, earning his bachelors degree in chemistry
from Wake Forest University, his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical
College, and his Ph.D. in immunology and microbiology from Duke University
Medical Center.
His research in bladder and prostate cancer has centered on finding
cell markers that will allow for early detection and prevention of cancer.
Our goal has been to predict who will get bladder or prostate cancer
before they get it, Dr. Hemstreet said. One of the big problems in urology
is that many men have an elevated PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.
Then, over the next 10 years, its not uncommon for them to undergo five
or six biopsies to determine if they have cancer. Ive been looking for
fingerprints in the first biopsy that will allow us to make an accurate
risk assessment without undergoing numerous additional biopsies.
These advances may prove useful for future chemoprevention strategies
including new drug development, Dr. Hemstreet said. He hopes that his research
in conjunction with the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and the Prostate Cancer
Research Group on campus will bridge the gap between mouse and man and
assist basic prostate research that will lead to new prostate cancer treatments
and prevention.
I couldn’t be more thrilled to have George Hemstreet installed as chief
of urological surgery, said Byers (Bud) Shaw, M.D., professor and chairman,
department of surgery. His research interests have direct relevance to
clinical practice and will undoubtedly play a role in improving the success
of efforts in early detection and prevention of cancers of many types.
As director of the urologic surgery program in the department of surgery,
Dr. Hemstreet said his initial goals are to recruit several new faculty
members to support the research and clinical direction of UNMC and to assist
existing faculty in their career development.
During his career, in addition to his extensive research on bladder
cancer, he has pioneered biomarker research in esophageal and lung cancer
in China as part of a program co-sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
He is one of the few Americans to be named to the prestigious Chinese Academy
of Medical Sciences. From 1991 to 1995, he served as vice chairman of the
Subcommittee on Biologic Markers of Urinary Toxicology through the National
Research Council.
Dr. Hemstreet has been active in medical organizations and in the community,
serving as president of the Oklahoma State Urologic Association and on
the board of the Downtown Lions Club in Oklahoma City. He received the
American Medical Association Citation for Meritorious Services for his
help with the Oklahoma City bombing victims and several other citations
from the Oklahoma Legislature during his career.