Clinical trials are fundamental to determining the safety and efficacy of new treatments that may improve the health and well-being of patients. The Queen’s Oncology Research Department makes it possible for Hawai‘i’s cancer patient population to participate in both National Cancer Institute (NCI) and global pharmaceutical clinical trials close to home. A wide variety of trials available include treatment trials offering leading-edge therapies or repurposing existing therapies, prevention and screening trials, and trials focusing symptom management and patient quality-of-life. 

Through our partnership with the Hawai‘i Cancer Consortium, Queen’s has a leadership role in a community-wide, collaborative effort to improve cancer care in the state of Hawai‘i. The Oncology Research Department participates in the selection, launch, and conduct of NCI-sponsored clinical trials relevant for our local population. 

The NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) was established to bring cancer clinical trials to individuals in their own communities. As a part of Hawai‘i’s Minority Underserved NCORP Community Site, Queen’s has been designated as a Cancer Care Delivery Research (CCDR) site and has been the recipient of the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center’s NCORP grant since 2014. CCDR-specific clinical trials examine how social factors, financing, organizations, health technologies, health care providers, and individual behaviors affect cancer outcomes.