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While pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, the promising new drug daraxonrasib is offering new hope for patients with advanced disease. The public is invited on Wednesday, September 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sullivan Conference Center, for “Quest for a Cure: Cancer in the News; New Breakthroughs in Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials,” which will focus on the latest breakthroughs.  At the free event, UH Cancer Center researchers, patients and caregivers will speak about scientific advances, clinical trials, and our center’s role in developing innovative therapies. Register by September 12 at the event page to attend.

Cancer patients/survivors/thrivers, caregivers and supporters are welcome on October 17 at “Let’s Move! The Importance of Physical Activity in the Cancer Journey,” the next free quarterly event presented by our center’s Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community program. From 8 to 11 a.m. at our Sullivan Conference Center, speakers will share inspiring research, and ways to increase physical activity to maintain and improve health. And those findings will get put into practice with two fun, relaxing group activities that will get your blood moving. Activities will be modifiable so that guests at all levels may participate. Register by October 10 at the event page to attend.

“Kāne Talk Story — Prostate Health” on Aug. 18 is a men's kūkākūkā, or discussion, that will cover cancer prevention, and incorporation of traditional cultural practices in a healthy lifestyle. The event from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kapolei Heritage Center is presented by Kū Ola, a program of our UH Cancer Center. Kū Ola is committed to improving the health and

well-being of Native Hawaiian men living in Hawai‘i. To register, or for more information on Kū Ola, call (808) 441-7710, or email kanekukakuka@gmail.com.

Over a hundred invited community guests gathered on July 31 at our Sullivan Conference Center to raise a glass (or “heart hands”) to cancer survivors, and the future of cancer research and treatment, at our latest “A Toast to Hope” event. The nonprofit Friends of the UH Cancer Center sponsored the event, which was presented by UH Foundation and our center. Researchers and patients spoke about scientific advances, Hawai‘i's unique cancer trends, and major milestones for our center, including the grand opening of the Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center. Hawaii News Now anchor William Van Osdol, popularly known as Billy V, who is a cancer survivor, and a Hope Ambassador for our center, gave a moving personal testimonial. Mahalo to all who participated!

More than 150 cancer patients/survivors/thrivers, caregivers and supporters gathered for “Healing Through Art,” presented July 18 at our UH Cancer Center by our Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community program. The free public workshop provided attendees with opportunities to explore a variety of therapeutic modalities, to help increase the quality of life for those affected by cancer. Local artists and experts led attendees through haiku writing and shakuhachi (Japanese flute) meditation, pencil drawing, ti leaf making, and crafting with Japanese washi paper. Read the full story in our Newsroom.

Researchers from the UH Cancer Center were among approximately 70 healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, students, cancer survivors and community leaders who gathered for the 2026 Hawaiʻi Colorectal Cancer Summit, on July 24 at ‘Alohilani Resort. The mission was to reduce the burden of colorectal cancer, and ensure that every person has access to timely screening, quality treatment and lifesaving care. The summit provided an opportunity to share research and statistics, strengthen partnerships, and identify solutions to improve outcomes for patients across Hawaiʻi. Drs. Kevin Cassel and Brenda Hernandez from our UH Cancer Center (on right in photo) were among the speakers. For resources on colorectal cancer, visit GetScreenedHawaii.gov.

Cheers for the 29 underclassmen from Hawai‘i and across the Pacific — and mahalo to their faculty mentors — after the completion of eight weeks of intensive, multi-disciplinary internships at the UH Cancer Center! Through our CREATE (Cancer Research Education, Advancement, Training and Empowerment) program, the students were guided through hands-on research by faculty mentors who work at the forefront of cancer science and treatment. The program culminated on Wednesday in a poster presentation event where CREATE students displayed the results of their guided research experiences. Visit the CREATE program page for more information.

‘Kāne Talk Story — Prostate Health’
Presented by Kū Ola, a program of the UH Cancer Center
Tuesday, August 16 | 6-8 p.m.
Kapolei Heritage Center
Register at (808) 441-7710 or kanekukakuka@gmail.com

‘Quest for a Cure: Cancer in the News; New Breakthroughs in Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials’
Free public event presented by UH Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement Office
Wednesday, September 16 | 5-7 p.m.
Sullivan Conference Center, UH Cancer Center
Register by September 12 on event page.

‘Let’s Move! The Importance of Physical Activity in the Cancer Journey,’ presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, UH Cancer Center
Saturday, October 17 | 8-11 a.m.
Sullivan Conference Center, UH Cancer Center
Public welcome; free admission; in person and Zoom options offered.
Register by October 10 on event page.

JOB BOARD

Assistant Professor – Cancer Biology

Fiscal Specialist

Graduate Assistant – Clinical Trials Office

Graduate Assistant – Fiscal

Graduate Assistant – Population Sciences in the Pacific

For all University of Hawaiʻi Internal Civil Service Recruitments, please see the bulletin by the Human Resources Office for the most current vacancies.

Diversity and distinctive characteristics of the global RNA virome in urban and peri-urban environments. Gao Z, Wu J, Lucaci AG, Ouyang J, Wang L, Ryon KA, Elhaik E, Probst AJ, Rodó X, Velavan TP, .., Deng Y, Udekwu KI, Schriml LM, Hazrin-Chong NH, Suzuki H, Lee PKH, Camargo AP, Kyrpides NC, Liu D, Wang LF, Mason CE, Shi T; International MetaSUB Consortium. Nat Commun. 2026 Jul 16;17(1):6397.

Beyond Words: A Call to Action for Language Inclusivity in Prospective Research. Sheu D, Kaholokula JK, Jacobson M, Warren KR, Wang PJ, Kohn R. J Gen Intern Med. 2026 Jul 29.

Possibility to therapeutically exploit RGPR-p117 as a target in cancer cells.         Yamaguchi M. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2026 Jul 19:1-5

Maternal and neonatal outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in hypovitaminosis D pregnancy: preg-D randomized trial. Chakhtoura M, Nassar AH, Ajjour S, Rahme M, Assaad M, Nabulsi M, Charafeddine L, Mahfoud ZR, Tfaily N, Diab T, Al-Tayeh R, Zeitoun A, Shepherd JA, Cavalier E, Cooper C, Harvey N, Eid J, Chlela M, El-Hajj Fuleihan G. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jul 16:dgag245. 

Platanosides, a Promising Class of Plant-Derived Antibiotics, Are Effective against a Suite of Clinically Derived MDR and Drug-Sensitive Staph and Strep spp. Dickinson CF, Benjamin MM, Alford A, Moreno HL, Suleyman G, Trupiano M, Aldrich B, Valeriote FA, Arosemena N, Bialousow L, Benjamin R, Zhong Z, Tius MA, Choo YM, Lemasters JJ, Hamann MT. ACS Infect Dis. 2026 Jul 17. 

Associations of neighborhood racial and ethnic, economical, and educational segregation with breast cancer risk: The Multiethnic ohort Study. Ihenacho U, Khan-Gates J, Lin K, Abe JV, Inamdar PP, Yang J, Li Y, Sangaramoorthy M, Haiman CA, Le Marchand L, Wilkens LR, Gomez SL, Shariff-Marco S, Wu AH, Cheng I. Cancer Causes Control. 2026 Jul 24;37(9):133

Multilevel dynamics of the brain, hormones, mind, and behavior in social human-robot interaction. Topoglu Y, Krueger F, Joshi S, Rothstein N, Franke AA, Li X, Gratch J, de Visser EJ, Ayaz H. Sci Robot. 2026 Jul 29;11(116):eaec1762

Alcohol intake and risk of stomach cancer: a pooled analysis of 20 cohorts. Jayasekara H, Wang M, Peng Y, Abe SK, Abnet C, Cai H, Chan AT, Datta M, Eliassen AH, Gao YT, Giovannucci EL, Hirabayashi M, Hou T, Huang WY, Ihenacho U, Inoue M, Koh WP, Larsson SC, Liao LM, Loftfield E, McCullough ML, Miller AB, Mucci LA, Murphy GA, Park JY, Park SY, Prizment A, Robien K, Rohan TE, Sawada N, Shams-White MM, Shu XO, Sinha R, Song M, Stampfer MJ, Sun Y, Tjønneland A, Um CY, van den Brandt PA, Wang R, Wende JW, White E, Wilkens L, Wolk A, Yuan JM, Room R, Haydon A, MacInnis RJ, Camargo MC, Giles GG, Milne RL, Ferrari P, Smith-Warner SA. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2026 Jul 24:pkag073. 

Epstein-Barr virus antibodies and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a pooled analysis of four prospective cohorts. Teras LR, Landry M, Hodge JM, Pal Choudhury P, Birmann BM, Cozen W, Hofmann JN, Jeske R, Purdue MP, Cerhan JR, Le Marchand L, Babi A, Patel AV, Waterboer T. Blood Cancer J. 2026 Jul 16;16(1):97.

Impact of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Computer Aided Detection System (CADe) on Colonoscopies Performed in Hawai'i. Jain A, Jain A, Jain D, Jain S, Pagano I. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2026 Aug 3;85(8):210-217.

Do People Occupationally Exposed to Asbestos-Free Talc Have Elevated Risk for Lung Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, or Mesothelioma? Yu H. J Thorac Oncol. 2026 Aug;21(8):103929. 

Distinct molecular pathways regulated by activated AKT and YAP signaling during intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression. Zhao J, Yang L, Qin Y, Zhang Y, Wang T, Wang J, Liao R, Green B, Cui G, Liao W, Qiao Y, Xu M, Yang H, Farrar C, Liang B, Li X, Xin X, Li X, Calvisi DF, Wang X, Deng Y, Wu Y, Chen X. J Hepatol. 2026 Aug;85(2):301-313. 

Content validation and cultural adaptation are necessary to interpret evidence from psychological assessment instruments imported across cultures. Haynes SN, Matsui M, Kaholokula JK. Curr Opin Psychol. 2026 Aug;70:102307. 

Oral nicotine pouch use motives and dependence among individuals who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Pokhrel P, Phillips KT, Kawamoto CT, Lee DN, Herzog TA. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2026 Aug 1;285:113199. 

Detailed racial/ethnic disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma risk with an electronic health record-based cohort. DeRouen MC, Thompson CA, Canchola AJ, Cortella A, Rice T, Inamdar P, Nie S, Vu J, Kenkare P, Chu JN, Rubinsky AD, Daida YG, Ho C, Liang SY, El-Serag HB, Tana MM, Somsouk M, Segal M, Kim MO, Cheng I, Gomez SL, Shariff-Marco S. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026 Aug 4:S1542-3565(26)00572-0. 

Disparities in Kidney Transplantation Access and Outcomes among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Noguchi K, Wong LL, Izutsu CH, Rhee CM, Lee LF. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2026 Aug 4. 

Fish Consumption and Colorectal Neoplasms among Lynch Syndrome Carriers. Bulbaai MT, Wesselink E, Bisseling TM, Koornstra JJ, van Leerdam ME, Le Marchand L, Newcomb PA, Samadder NJ, Schep-Wijnveen HJ, Kampman E, van Duijnhoven FJ. J Nutr. 2026 Aug;156(8):101670. 

Cervical cancer burden and elimination readiness in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands: A structured narrative review. Nguyen DTN, Islam R, Qin J, Senkomago V, Buenconsejo-Lum L, Jeong Y, Gopalani SV, Kang YJ, David M, Reichhardt M, Edilyong J, Tippins A, Lu E, Chutaro E, Scarinci I, Arriola T, Simms K, Canfell K, Palafox N. Cancer Epidemiol. 2026 Aug;103:103144. 

Pre-Diagnostic Plasma Carotenoids, Tocopherols and Retinol Levels, and Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. O'Reilly ÉJ, Bjornevik K, Furtado JD, Patel AV, Wang Y, Kolonel LN, Le Marchand L, Ascherio A. Ann Neurol. 2026 Aug;100(2):426-435. 

Performance Evaluation of a Novel Non-Invasive Monitoring Device for At-Home Neutropenia Detection in a Multicenter Cancer Cohort. Srinivasan M, Izquierdo AR, Tolosa P, García ÁVA, González-Medina J, García-Mosquera JJ, Iwase T, Desaraju N, Escobar JAP, Trinidad AP, Lamaj G, Benasutti R, Butterworth I, Castro-González C, Sánchez-Ferro Á, Bourquard A, Nasrazadani A, Martínez-Bueno A, Cuglievan B, Gil EMC, Sloan JM, Martinez-Lopez J; PointCheck Study Group. Am J Hematol. 2026 Aug;101(8):2064-2068. 

A safety-aware intake modeling framework for translating edible algal biomass into nutritional bioproducts. Wang Y, Roell G, Cruz RD, Durďáková M, Maruwan J, Rong K, Novotny R, Esquivel M, Wilkens L, Su WW, Yan T, Ho K, Du ZY. Adv Biotechnol (Singap). 2026 Aug 10;4(3):32. 

Epigenetic aging during adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer and modification by a resistance training intervention. Binder AM, Weltzien E, Cespedes Feliciano EM, Brown JC, Lee C, Ross M, Campbell KL, Castillo A, Pena Perez A, Meyerhardt JA, Schmitz KH, Caan BJ. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2026 Aug 3:djag226. 

Dairy products and their key nutrients as protective factors against colorectal cancer risk: The Multiethnic Cohort. Han S, Paik A, Park SY, Le Marchand L, Wilkens LR, Haiman CA, Nianogo RA, Rao JY, Zhang ZF, Huang BZ. Int J Cancer. 2026 Aug 1;159(3):584-594. 

Cross-population proteome-wide mendelian randomization study identifies likely causal proteins for cardiovascular diseases. Zhong H, Zhu J, Liu S, Wong HTH, Zhang Y, Luu HN, Wu Q, Wang X, Wu L. Mol Genet Genomics. 2026 Aug 3;301(1):164. 

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