Mesothelioma researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center have made significant strides in improving the diagnosis and treatment of the rare, fatal form of cancer. Their efforts have been rewarded by the National Cancer Institute, which has announced a new $2.5 million grant to further the group’s work.
University of Hawaii Mesothelioma Researchers Collaborate with Noted Texas Surgeon
The University of Hawaii Cancer Center team’s accomplishments in mesothelioma research have long been acknowledged as groundbreaking and have consistently been rewarded with more federal funding than any other group in the past 24 years. The R01 grant that was just announced by the National Cancer Institute is specifically for work they are doing with noted thoracic surgeon Taylor Ripley of Baylor College of Medicine to improve the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma.
Michele Carbone and Haining Yang are the leaders of the UH Cancer Center mesothelioma research team, and the pair expressed their gratitude for the funding and how it will facilitate their ability to continue working towards better outcomes for patients. Dr. Yang said, “We have made an impact in the lives of many people around the world, including over 100 families we are following in the U.S. and abroad who are affected by familial genetically related mesothelioma. Recently the NCI has opened two clinical trials for early detection and surgical removal of mesothelioma and other early cancer lesions, and we are saving many lives.”
Group’s Focus is on Advancing Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Mesothelioma
Funding for mesothelioma research is often limited because it offers little financial benefit for drug companies, and this has led to the disease being granted “orphan disease” status. Most funding comes from the government and private philanthropies and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Carbone says that the funding his center has received will allow it to continue focusing on novel therapeutic strategies to improve patients’ abilities to overcome the ravages of the disease.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, hope lies in innovative research. For information about the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
