Pancreatic cancer research, breakthrough drug are focus of free event Sept. 16 at UH Cancer Center

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Photos, logo, flyer: go.hawaii.edu/R43

HONOLULU - The public is invited to "Cancer in the News; New Breakthroughs in Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials," a free Quest for a Cure public-education event on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Presenters will discuss how a promising new drug recently approved by the FDA, Rasonque (brand name for daraxonrasib), is offering renewed hope for patients with pancreatic cancer. This Quest for a Cure event welcomes cancer patients/survivors/thrivers, caregivers, family members and supporters, and will highlight this exciting breakthrough with physicians from the UH Cancer Center who have played a direct role in advancing pancreatic cancer research.

The event - set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, at the UH Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street in Kakaʻako - is the latest in the Quest for a Cure annual series of free educational events hosted by the UH Cancer Center. Participants may attend in person. To register, go to the event page (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quest-for-a-cure-new-breakthroughs-in-pancreatic-cancer-clinical-trials-tickets-1996804140938).

"Cancer in the News; New Breakthroughs in Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trials" will provide anyone touched by cancer the opportunity to hear about Rasonque from UH Cancer Center physicians. Attendees will also hear firsthand from patients receiving daraxonrasib, as well as pancreatic-cancer survivors and caregivers, whose personal experiences bring to life the impact of these advances. Join us for an inspiring evening of discovery, resilience and hope as the latest innovations in pancreatic cancer research and clinical trials are discussed.

Presentations at the September 16 event:

• "Introduction to Clinical Trials," Dr. Toshi Iwase, Medical Director, Clinical Trials Office, UH Cancer Center;
• "Introduction to Pancreatic Cancer and QMC trial," Dr. Jared Acoba, Associate Researcher, Translational and Clinical Research, UH Cancer Center;
• "Daraxonrasib and Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center Connection," Dr. Elizabeth Nakasone, Junior Researcher, UH Cancer Center;
• Panel with UH Cancer Center doctors and patients.

Dr. Nakasone will discuss the pivotal clinical trials that helped bring daraxonrasib to patients and explain what this breakthrough could mean for the future of pancreatic cancer treatment. Dr. Acoba will provide an update on the first-line pancreatic cancer clinical trial launching at The Queen's Medical Center and the continued expansion of innovative treatment options in Hawaiʻi. These activities are in alignment with the mission of the UH Cancer Center to save lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide, and in Hawai'i nearly 76,000 people are living with cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer mortality in Hawai'i for men and women. However, pancreas cancer incidence remains low for men and women, and significantly lower than the U.S. for females.

Go to the event page to register (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quest-for-a-cure-new-breakthroughs-in-pancreatic-cancer-clinical-trials-tickets-1996804140938). Attendees can join in-person or online through Zoom, and registration is available online up until the event. Walk-ins who have not registered in advance are welcome on the day of the event.

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About The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center

The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. It is inspiring hope by working to conquer cancer. The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, focusing on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

The UH Cancer Center is one of only 74 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), representing a significant mark of excellence, and is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The center contributes more than $57 million to Hawai'i's economy through scientific research, clinical trials, and other activities.

As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs more than 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hilo Benioff Medical Center, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.

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