# NATURAL KILLER CELLS AND CANCER IN HAWAIIANS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA · 1987 · $168,514

## Abstract

The sequestered native Hawaiian population with a high incidence and poor
survival of cancer, particularly of the lung and breast, will provide a
unique population for family studies of the natural killer cell (NK)
system.  Virtually no reports on cancer family studies and NK function have
been published.  This immunobiology research will be directed towards the
role of the NK system and effector cell function as a natural
immunosurveillance mechanism in tumorgenesis.  NK cells, known for their
cytotoxic effects against tumor cells, may have important immunoregulatory
functions and the potential for positive self regulation as shown by their
ability to produce interferon and other cytokines.  This proposed research
will test the hypothesis that in immunodeficiency in NK function is
associated with increased incidence of cancer and poorer survival of the
native Hawaiian population.  Thus, NK function will be compared in the
Hawaiian case and control families.  In addition, this family study will
provide an ideal opportunity to study its immunogenetic basis in
association with HLA determinants.  In preliminary studies, selected
Hawaiian case families will be HLA typed to indicate whether there is a
direct segregation of NK function with HLA haplotype.  In a prospective
analysis of Hawaiian cancer patients, NK cells and effector cell function
will be correlated with the effect of chemotherapy, irradiation and/or
immunotherapy to identify immune functions which may be deficient and
related to their poorer survival.  Thus, the assessment of multiple
immunologic parameters may provide a basic understanding of
immunoregulatory cellular interactions involved in NK function.  The
ultimate goal in this study of the NK system will be the elucidation of
immunologic and genetic factors which may provide valuable insights into
the pathogenesis of cancer.  The NK system may prove useful in
understanding tumor biology and ultimately, in cancer therapy through
immunologic reconstitution in the immunosuppressed host.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3176008
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038017-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NSCKLFSSABF2
- **Principal Investigator:** CLARA Y CHING
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $168,514
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1990-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3176008

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3176008, NATURAL KILLER CELLS AND CANCER IN HAWAIIANS (5R01CA038017-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3176008. Licensed CC0.

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