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Cancer Research Center of Hawaii

Contact Information

651 Ilalo Street, BSB 231 Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 440-4596

The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii won designation as one of only 25 official Cancer Centers from the NCI (National Cancer Institute) in 1996. NCI Cancer Centers focus on working with local populations and conducting research and clinical trials.

The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii has a new $200 million facility slated to be under construction by June of 2010. It should be completed by 2013 and will allow CRCH to retain its designation and rise to the broader designation as an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI recognizes only 40 CCC locations across the USA, making the total number of NCI designated cancer centers and comprehensive cancer centers just 65.

The Center’s Manoa location is adjacent to The Queen’s Medical Center in downtown Honolulu. This center occupies 55,000 square feet of space and actively coordinates research projects with many other medical facilities in the state. Most persons who are newly diagnosed as having cancer go there for treatment. The hospital has 1200 doctors who care for around 21,000 adult admissions and 250,000 outpatient contacts per year. It is a highly regarded teaching center.

The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Manoa, has been designated as a Cancer Center by the NCI since July 1, 1996. At first conception in 1971, this center was included as part of the Pacific Biomedical Research Center. The University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents allowed this center to become independent in 1971, as a research unit of UH. Awards include NCI Cancer Center Planning and Support Grants. A construction grant paved the way to build the five-story building that now houses the CRCH.

The Center needs to break ground on the new $200 million Kakaako research building this summer in order to maintain its NCI designation and to become an official Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program has been delayed by a few setbacks, including an overall decline of the program, financing issues and changes in leadership. Statistics show that the number of researchers at the center has dropped from 50 to 12 since 2005. Funding from research grants and contracts is currently about $18 million, which is down from $35 million in 2006.

Under the interim directorship of researcher Michele Carbone, the priority is to break ground on the new research building this summer. He wants to double the number of researchers by the end of 2011.

The Clinical Trials Unit has been taking part in national cancer studies since 1979. The CRCH administers statewide clinical trials through this Clinical Trials Unit. A major aim of many studies is reducing the occurrence of cancer in the general population.

As a designated Cancer Center and soon as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the CRCH offers patients a wide range of support assistance.

This center receives more federal grant funding than any other US research institution for mesothelioma research. Cutting edge studies are focusing on how this disease develops in humans. Many Hawaii residents were affected by exposure to asbestos while working at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Other studies are looking at HPV persistence factors in males and females.

The new research facility will be all state-of-the-art when it comes to modern technology for research. It will be located next to UH’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. Hawaii’s mid-Pacific location is an advantage for nation and international research studies.