University of Iowa Health Care recently received approval from the Iowa Board of Regents to move forward with plans for a new cancer-focused research facility.
According to an article published by Iowa Now, a lack of space has led to the need for a new building as UIHC looks to expand its cancer-related research.
Currently, clinical cancer care is supported at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated center in Iowa. Other cancer services and support are provided in several buildings between UIHC and Carver College of Medicine, but space is limited.
“The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the finest in the country, and this state-of-the-art cancer research center will further strengthen and improve the University of Iowa’s efforts in cancer research,” Iowa Board of Regents Chair Shelley Bates said of the approval of the new facility. “The University of Iowa needs additional space to continue its great and important research, and I am pleased that the University of Iowa is moving forward with this much-needed project that will impact so many lives.”
As of 2024, Iowa has the second-highest incidence rate of new cancers and the fastest growing rate in the U.S., according to an annual report prepared by the Iowa Cancer Registry.
The Iowa Cancer Registry also found that alcohol consumption was a major factor in these rising numbers, with additional research revealing that Iowa will rank fourth in the nation for heavy drinking in 2022, and will also have the fourth-highest number of alcohol-related cancer cases in the nation.
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An estimated 21,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Iowa this year and 6,100 will die from the disease, according to the registry.
Adam Dupuy, director of the Cancer Biology Graduate Program, said he and his research group are primarily focused on DNA changes related to cancer development, progression, response to treatment and metastasis, which is the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
His research group also collaborates with other research groups in the program to conduct further research into cancer, including studies in immunology, genetics, endocrinology, and more.
“This new building is an opportunity to bring faculty from across campus, across different departments, together in one facility, which is something we haven’t had enough of in the past. It will be a fantastic opportunity to grow our cancer center,” Dupuy said.
As an active researcher, Dupuy spoke firsthand about the need for cancer-specific research space and the struggles he has faced.
“It’s hard to really cover all of these topics at an institution our size. We don’t have enough faculty. It’s really important to hire more faculty in certain areas,” Dupuy said. “(The building) would be a significant development that would help our cancer center grow, but we’re at a breaking point.”
A formal space analysis will be conducted over the coming months.
“This project will enable UIHC to remain competitive in both recruiting and retaining world-class faculty, staff and trainees,” Carver College of Medicine Dean Dennis Jamieson said in a statement announcing the future building.
