DIRECTOR ’ S MESSAGE
At the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center , our researchers have been laser-focused on our mission : to reduce the burden of cancer through research , education , patient care and community outreach with an emphasis on the unique ethnic , cultural and environmental characteristics of Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific .
This has been accomplished through seminal advances in basic cancer biology , population sciences and epidemiology , and cancer prevention research . UH Cancer Center faculty had more than 242 published manuscripts this past year , some in the most prestigious journals in the world . 2017 was also a banner year for Cancer Center members , bringing more than $ 40 million in grant funding to the University of Hawai ‘ i . This speaks to the high quality of research being done right here in Hawai ‘ i .
Several faculty received national recognition , and their research advances have included :
• demonstration of the mechanism of carcinogenesis involved in the BAP1 cancer syndrome ,
• risks of e-cigarettes in leading to future tobacco product addiction ,
• contributions of coffee to reduction in death from chronic diseases including cancer ,
• signaling pathways involved in metastases ,
• insights into liver cancer development , and
• approaches to cancer control and prevention across the Pacifc .
The Cancer Center also provides an infrastructure to facilitate access to clinical trials for nearly two-thirds of the cancer patients in Hawai ‘ i . In conjunction with our clinical partners at The Queen ’ s Health Systems , Hawai ‘ i Pacifc Health , Kuakini Health System and the vast majority of private oncology practitioners in Hawai ‘ i , the UH Cancer Center offers more than 100 clinical trials . The trials include those designed for cancer treatment , cancer diagnosis , cancer prevention and control , and improvement of quality of life . More than 2,000 patients were enrolled on a UH Cancer Center clinical trial this past year !!! A signifcant number of these trials are designed specifcally for populations in Hawai ‘ i with cancer mor tality disparities in an effort to reduce the burden of cancer for these groups .
The Cancer Center faculty continues to be involved in education of high school , undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows . The Summer Internship Program is an example of how the Cancer Center interfaces with the community and provides opportunities for Hawai ‘ i ’ s young , future scientists to become involved in , and excited by , cancer research .
Over the next year , our plans include expansion of our clinical trials capabilities to bring even more novel research opportunities to our patients , and expansion of our already superb research programs in cancer biology , ethnic diversity and cancer health disparities , and cancer prevention .
This report outlines some of this past year ’ s accomplishments , and highlights many of our exceptional faculty . I hope it conveys how the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center provides unparalleled cancer research for the beneft of the people of Hawai ‘ i and across the Pacifc .
Mahalo !!
Randall F . Holcombe , MD , MBA Director
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