Cancer Biology Research Program

CANCER BIOLOGY - ABSTRACT Basic and translational cancer research is essential to advancing our understanding of cancer development and progression. New mechanistic insights provide new tools and strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. The Cancer Biology Program (CB) studies fundamental cellular, molecular, genetic, biochemical, and immunological mechanisms of cancer development and progression, with the goal of translating molecular discoveries into diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. It is also the hub of clinical cancer research to translate our discoveries to be tested in the clinic. The Program is responsible for the investigator-initiated therapeutic clinical trials in our catchment area. The Program has 19 Full and 21 Associate Members from the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Chemistry Department, Engineering Department, Kinesiology Department, Pacific Biomedical Research Center, and College of Pharmacy. The CB Members currently receive a combined $6.1M annually in direct cost, including $3.6M from the NCI and $1.78M from other NIH institutes. Funding has increased significantly compared to the numbers during the previous cycle. Over the past 6 years, Members have authored 437 cancer-related publications, of which 20% originated were intraprogrammatic, 26% were inter-programmatic, and 82% were inter-institutional collaborations. The primary goal of CB is to conduct translational research through multi-disciplinary efforts, whereby discoveries of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer development and progression lead to novel targets and potential strategies for cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and drug discovery and treatment. This goal is informed by the unique geography of our catchment area, which includes the Islands of Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, and the differences in health outcomes experienced by the populations we serve, especially Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The 3 major scientific goals of the Program are: 1) to generate novel mechanistic insight into the processes that drive tumor initiation, progression, and invasion and to develop novel agents to target cancers; 2) to identify and validate biomarkers related to cancer early detection, treatment, and prognosis; and 3) to translate local and national discoveries into more effective preventive, early detection, and therapeutic modalities throughout our catchment area. To accomplish these goals, we developed a strategic plan with focusing on 5 areas, immunotherapies, anti-cancer natural products, small molecules, molecular mechanisms differences in health outcomes, innovative clinical trials, as well as interprogrammatic collaboration and fostering the growth of young cancer biologists. In summary, given our geographical location and rich culture, we are uniquely positioned to conduct basic, translational, and clinical research essential to the Hawaiian community and the larger Pacific region. The gain in our mechanistic knowledge in cancers prevalent among the local populations, and the discovery of novel molecular and immunological modalities provide opportunities for clinical applications in our catchment area.