Research & Core Services
Together, the UCI and Fred Hutch are advancing cutting-edge research and training and to support clinical care improvements.
Since the start of UCI-Fred Hutch Collaboration, the teams have conducted over 30 studies on five cancers and six viruses / infectious agents. Our researchers are studying Kaposi sarcoma, Burkitt lymphoma, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma; and infectious diseases that are associated with some of these cancers, including, HIV, human herpesvirus 8, Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B virus; as well as bacteremia. There are 15 active grants with nine Ugandan investigators.
Areas of Research Focus (Current and Past Studies)
By numbers of studies by focus
Interventional Trials
Our breast cancer study aims to determine the feasibility of an all-oral cancer regimen for breast cancer patients, which is one aim of the ongoing study funded by GSK’s Africa NCD Open Lab to both define the molecular profile of breast cancer in Uganda and explore clinical implications. It is co-led by Dr. Manoj Menon (FH) and Dr. Jackson Orem (UCI). Preliminary data suggest that most women present in advanced stages of breast cancer and have hormone receptor-positive disease. The study opened in May 2018.
In partnership with Roche, Fred Hutch and UCI researchers are evaluating a novel targeted treatment, Rituximab, that can be administered under the skin of both adult and pediatric patients with lymphoma. This trial is led by Dr. Thomas Uldrick, GO Deputy Head, and Drs. Henry Ddungu, Joyce Balagadde Kambugu, and Jackson Orem (UCI). The study opened in October 2019.
Additional Studies Open to Accrual/Enrollment:
Human Herpesvirus-8 Replication and Kaposi Sarcoma Response to Treatment
The study aims to characterize HHV-8 replication in oral, plasma, and lesion sites and define its relationship to the clinical manifestations of KS. Further, the study aims to determine if HHV-8 replication in oral, plasma, and/or lesion sties predicts KS response to treatment and determine if HHV-8 replication in all sites predicts KS relapse following treatment. Lastly, the study aims to define the characteristics of effective immune responses to KS.
Tumor Tissue Collection for Molecular Characterization and Viral Discovery
The study aims to obtain specimens for molecular characterization of malignancies and viral discovery.
Bacteremia in Hematologic Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia in Uganda
The study objectives are to determine the microbiological characteristics of bacteria isolated from 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 first febrile neutropenic episode in patients with hematological malignancies.
HIV Integration-Mediated Modulation of Immune Regulation in HPV-Associated Cancers
The study seeks to determine what components of HIV may be in part responsible for the high incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers in persons with HIV infection.
Exploring the Molecular Spectrum of Colorectal Cancer in Uganda
The study investigates the molecular phenotypes of colorectal cancer in Uganda by accessing archived tumor samples at the Kampala Cancer Registry.
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