Understanding lung cancer risks in Native Hawaiians
Official title: Characterizing genomic risk factors of lung cancers in Native Hawaiians
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11141193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at the genetic differences in lung cancer among Native Hawaiians to better understand why they face higher risks and poorer outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $535,112 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HG013243-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding lung cancer in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, particularly those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients from other ethnic or racial backgrounds, or those without lung cancer, may not directly benefit from the specific findings of this particular research.
What this research studies
Lung cancer is a serious health concern, and we know that certain groups, like Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and African Americans, are at higher risk and have worse survival rates. Even after considering factors like smoking, Native Hawaiians still face a higher risk. This project aims to uncover the specific genetic and molecular changes in lung tumors from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander patients, which have not been well-studied before. By examining these unique molecular profiles, we hope to find new clues about why lung cancer affects these communities differently.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of lung cancer in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, potentially guiding the development of more targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While large-scale lung cancer genomic studies exist, Native Hawaiians have been significantly underrepresented, making this a novel and much-needed approach for this specific population.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deng, Youping — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Deng, Youping
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.