A Growing Research Portfolio
Our global oncology research focuses on the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of high-burden cancers in low-resource settings. We have expanded our research from infection-related cancers to include other globally relevant cancers, including breast cancer, which is a leading cancer in women. Fred Hutch is also home to a global breast cancer initiative that develops context-appropriate guidelines for breast cancer control, screening, diagnosis, and treatment in low- and middle-income countries. In one of our newest clinical trials in Uganda, we provide lymphoma drugs through subcutaneous injection, rather than the typical intravenous delivery. In 2018, we launched a pilot grant program to encourage Fred Hutch faculty to develop novel approaches to improve cancer diagnosis or treatment in low-and middle-income countries. A few of current research studies are listed below.
A Partnership in Uganda
The cornerstone of our research is our decade-plus collaboration with the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala. The UCI was among the first sites in the world to use intravenous chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Current Research
The studies described below are a sample of our current research, ranging from breast cancer to bacteremia.
Investigators:
Manoj Menon, MD
Jackson Orem, MBChB, MMed, PhD
Nixon Niyonzima, MBChB, MSC, PhD
The study has four main aims. The investigators aim to evaluate the clinical utility, feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of the STRAT4 assay to detect the presence of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 in core needle biopsy specimens of patients with breast cancer at the UCI. Further, they aim to evaluate the clinical utility, feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of the STRAT4 assay to detect the presence of the ER, PR, and HER2 in fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) specimens of patients with breast cancer at the UCI. Finally, the investigators aim to assess the concordance between STRAT4 results obtained on a core needle biopsy specimen with the STRAT4 results obtained on an FNA specimen.
Study sites:
UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre
Uganda Cancer Institute
Investigators:
Manoj Menon, MD
Henry Ddungu, MBChB, MMed
Joyce Balagadde Kambugu, MD
Jackson Orem, MBChB, MMed, PhD
Launched in 2019, in partnership with Roche and the Uganda Cancer Institute, this early phase trial aims to improve cure rates for children and adults with two aggressive forms of lymphoma — Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma — as well as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV)–associated multicentric Castleman’s disease. The research team launched the study in 2019 to evaluate a formulation of the monoclonal antibody against CD20, rituximab, that can be administered subcutaneously, or under the skin, of cancer patients. The primary goal is to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of the new formulation of rituximab, including the optimal dosage in children. The trial will also allow the research team to conduct a preliminary assessment of its efficacy as a platform for other translational studies to help us better understand the unique biology of Burkitt lymphoma in Africa. View the study brochure to learn more.
Study sites:
UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre
Uganda Cancer Institute
Investigators:
Warren Phipps, MD, MPH
Edus H. Warren, MD, PhD
Jackson Orem, MBChB, MMed, PhD
This study is defining the relationship between human herpesvirus-8 replication and Kaposi sarcoma treatment outcomes and evaluating the potential of HHV-8 to serve as a prognostic biomarker in people with Kaposi sarcoma.
Study sites:
Uganda Cancer Institute
UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre
Investigators:
Margaret Lubwama (UCI-Fred Hutch Collaboration NIH D43 Fellow, PhD Candidate)
Warren Phipps, MD, MPH
The study objectives are to determine the microbiological characteristics of bacteria isolated from the blood of febrile neutropenic patients and identify risk factors for bacteremia among episodes of febrile neutropenia with hematologic malignancies at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Lastly, the study aims to determine 30-day mortality among febrile neutropenic patients and to compare 30-day mortality by bacteremia versus no bacteremia at the first febrile neutropenic episode in patients with hematological malignancies.
Study sites:
UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre
Uganda Cancer Institute