DISCOVERIES 08
TRANSLATIONAL & CLINICAL RESEARCH
It is through scientific discoveries in cancer biology that we learn more about different cancers , gaining new insights that translate into developing more powerful and effective new treatment options for cancer patients .
Since its establishment in 1971 , the UH Cancer Center has made valuable contributions to cancer research , impacting the steady decrease in cancer mortality and improving health outcomes throughout the Pacific . In 1975 , cancer mortality was over 170 deaths per 100,000 residents , and almost 50 years later , that number has dropped below 125 . Although health outcomes are improving overall , cancer disparities remain an issue among many populations in Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific region . Researchers at the Cancer Center are studying these groups to learn about the causes of these disparities and eliminate them .
In the U . S ., Blacks , Hispanics , American Indians / Alaska Natives , Asians , Native Hawaiians , and other Pacific Islanders bear a disproportionate burden of disease , injury , premature death , and disability . These groups collectively comprise over 60 % of Hawai ‘ i ’ s population . Our efforts toward minority-focused research and advancing cancer clinical trials have greatly contributed to improving health outcomes for thousands of Hawai ‘ i ’ s cancer patients .
Our clinical trials operation has always been completely community-facing . In 1994 , we were initially designated a Minority-Based Community Clinical Oncology Program and are currently a Minority Underserved ( MU ) National Cancer Institute ( NCI ) Community Oncology Research
Program ( NCORP ). NCORP is a national network that brings cancer clinical trials and care delivery studies to people in their own communities .
Over the years , our MU NCORP and our prior NCI-funded cooperative group research grants have brought practice-changing clinical trials to both children and adults in Hawai ‘ i . The UH Cancer Center contributed to the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project ( NSABP ) through many noteworthy NSABP breast cancer prevention studies , and the particularly significant NSABP B-06 trial , which paved the way for effective breast conservation .
NCORP brought personalized oncology to Hawai ‘ i through participation in the NCI-MATCH Precision Medicine Trial that assigned patients to treatment , based on genetic changes in their tumors . We were also important contributors to the impactful TAILORX trial , demonstrating that some women with localized breast cancer did not need chemotherapy . Currently we are recruiting
UHCC HISTORIC TIMELINE |
1981 |
UH Board of Regents established CRCH as an organized research unit . CRCH joined Southwest Oncology Group as the first of several national cancer cooperative study groups that provided access to participation in cancer clinical trials for Hawai ‘ i ’ s patients .
1983- 1986
1985- 1988
CRCH ’ s laboratory program expanded through recruitment of new faculty & nearly $ 1M in extramural funding .
Tom Humphreys , PhD , led CRCH as interim director .
1988
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Brian Issell , MD , appointed Cancer Research Center of Hawai ‘ i Director . |