Research
Thoracic Oncology

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The Thoracic Oncology Program was created in 2006. The goal of the program is to study the pathogenesis of thoracic malignancies to identify some point in the evolution of the process that is vulner-able to intervention. So far we have been able to devise strategies to reduce exposure to mineral fiber carcinogenesis in areas at high risk for mesothelioma and to identify serological markers for early intervention. Additional areas of research include studies to identify the role of viral infection and genetics in the pathogenesis of thoracic malignancies.

This is an interdisciplinary, multiinstitutional program that synergizes expertise in different areas to study thoracic malignancies. This new program presently comprises Dr. Carbone, based at the CRCH, and several co-investigators located in several institutions in the U.S. and abroad: Drs. Nancy Cox (geneticist) and Ian Steele (mineralogist), University of Chicago; Umran Dogan (mineralogist), University of Iowa; Brooke Mossman (molecular biologist), University of Vermont, H.I. Pass (thoracic surgeon), New York University; J.R. Testa (molecular geneticist) Fox Chase Cancer Center, Murat Tuncer (oncologist), University of Hacettepe, Ankara, Turkey. All of them are sponsored through subcontracts from NCI grants assigned to the University of Hawai‘i.

It is our belief that the current technologies allow for effective cooperation among scientists located at different institutions regardless of distance. Our track record of grants and publications proves this concept. Members of the program and co-investigators participate in weekly and bi-weekly videoconferences to exchange data, criticisms, and ideas. The multidisciplinary approach and different expertise represented in the program allow for a comprehensive analysis of different variables involved in the pathogenesis of thoracic malignancies.

Presently the emphasis of the program is on mesothelioma: Our research team—and therefore the University of Hawai‘i—receives over 50% of all NCI and NIH research funding to study mesothelioma. During the coming years we plan to recruit investigators at the CRCH to broaden the CRCH-based faculty of the thoracic oncology program and to expand our research to lung cancer and to other thoracic malignancies.

Contact Information
Thoracic Oncology Program
651 Ilalo Street, BSB 231
Honolulu, HI 96813
Telephone: (808) 440-4596
Fax: (808) 587-0790