1. Dr. Hong, you are a world
renowned successful medical oncologist. What was the reason for attending medical
school? What motivated you to become a doctor?
- Entering medical school was very
competitive even in the old days. I was admitted to Yonsei School of Medicine
in Seoul, South Korea in 1960. My oldest brother, Dr. Suk Ki Hong, was one of
the best scientists in Korea. He is a brilliant scientist and he has been my
role model throughout my life. He was the Chairman of Physiology Department in
Yonsei Medical School and later he became the Chairman of Physiology Department
in the University of Hawaii before he moved to SUNY Buffalo. I was immensely
inspired by him to enter medical school but at that time, I didn’t know much
about oncology. When I was receiving medical residency training in Boston VA
Medical Center, I saw so many patients who were suffering from incurable cancer
and it inspired me to pursue medical oncology training in Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center in 1973.
2. As a national and international
leader in medical oncology, you may have gone through various obstacles; can
you share some of the most difficult moments during your career?
- I immigrated to US in 1970 and
received medical training in New York City and Boston. I have been very
fortunate to work with many wonderful people in my academic career, who helped
me in great deal. I must admit that it was tremendously challenging to overcome
cultural and language barriers in my early days in the US, but I always
interpreted it as an opportunity to tackle. Not only did I work very hard, but
I also tried my best to work with disciplines and accountability.
3. You’ve served as the past
president of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and you have
been honored with AACR’s 10th annual Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and
Extraordinary Achievements. You have been recognized for bringing unprecedented
advances in translational and clinical cancer researches throughout your
career. Can you share with our readers some of the major achievements and
outcomes you have accomplished during your professional life?
- In my humble opinion, whatever
contributions I have made is basically tip of an iceberg. Nevertheless, I have
been very fortunate to make very small contributions in my professional career
that has been translated to the cancer patients. If I can highlight four areas
of my contributions, they are as follows:
1) Laryngeal preservation approach by using induction chemotherapy and
radiotherapy without sacrificing human voice box in patients with advanced
laryngeal l cancer. I was very fortunate to be forefront in this field of research
and this successful story served as a foundation of organ preservation approach
in many other cancers such as breast cancer, anal cancer and bladder cancer as
well.
2) Establishing principles of chemoprevention research that led to
development of cancer interception strategy that now has a tremendous potential
to prevent cancer before the cancer develops fully.
3) Our pioneering research of precision medicine in Lung cancer through
so called BATTLE (Biomarker-integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung
Cancer Elimination) trial in MDACC that opened a field of precision medicine
trials like MATCH, MPACT trials nationwide.
4) Last but not least, I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to
train hundreds of medical oncologists and scientists worldwide to be the next
generation of cancer researchers.
4. You’ve been appointed as the
division head and professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Center, an American Cancer Society professor, and a Samsung Distinguished
University Chair in Cancer Medicine.
What are your responsibilities and principles in leading one of the most
comprehensive academic and clinical departments?
- I had great honor and privilege to
serve as Head of Division of Cancer Medicine which is the largest division in
MD Anderson Cancer Center. MD Anderson Cancer Center has been ranked as Number
One Cancer Center in USA by the US News & World Report for 10 out of last
11 years. The job as the Head of Cancer Medicine was extremely challenging and
exciting at the same time. Overseeing 16 academic departments and the largest
Fellowship Program in the country was unprecedented opportunity. My main job
was to provide impeccable care for nearly 10,000 new cancer patients annually and
overseeing research activities of 350 faculties and managing over 100 Million
Research Grants.
My principles for managing such huge
academic program were basically displaying integrity, accountability, respect
transparency, passion, and hardworking ethics. I tried my best to be a role
model for all faculty and trainees as well as all employees. Fortunately, I was
able to carry out my job with honor and integrity over 14 years, which is the
longest tenure as the Head of Cancer Medicine in MDACC. Perhaps this is the
single most proud achievement I have ever made in my professional career, as a
man who immigrated to this country in 1970 and not even being allowed to dream
big.
5. Dr. Hong, you have been honored
with American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2016 Special Recognition Award for
your groundbreaking research in treatment modalities. What are some of the
current trends in cancer research? What do you forecast the major changes would
be in the areas of cancer research and treatments in next five years?
- I have been a member of American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) since 1975 and served in many important
committees in ASCO including the Chair of Cancer Prevention and, I was elected
to serve as the Board of Director. Because of my contributions to ASCO and many
achievements as Head of Cancer Medicine, especially training hundreds of
postgraduate doctors and clinical fellows, I was very grateful to receive ASCO
Special Recognition Award in 2016 at the annual meeting in Chicago.
I believe that this is an incredibly
exciting time of cancer care and cancer research because there is tremendous
progress of understanding basic biology of cancer that ultimately will be
translated to clinical care through translational research. Future of cancer research
is very bright because of the exciting opportunities to make huge impact of
cancer care through innovative targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
In addition, there is a huge
opportunity to make impact through screening and early detection and also
opportunity to intercept cancer driver in early stages and premalignant lesions
through chemo and/or immune prevention strategy before cancer develops fully.
6. What would be your advice or
comments for current medical students as well as those who aspire to become a
doctor?
- My advice to medical students who
want to either practice as a physician or become an academician is very simple.
They must work extraordinary hard with pride and integrity and also, they have
to be unselfish team player in whatever they engage in to earn respect from
their peers. I am a strong believer of following the quote from Benjamin
Franklin, “God helps those who help themselves.”
7. WKMJ has readers from more than
10 countries globally. Please share your final words with our readers.
- As far as cancer care is
concerned, there is no boundary at all. Cancer is global problem not limited to
US. One out of two in men and one out of three in women will develop cancer in
their lifetime. To make impact we all must work together as a team, without
territories, to end cancer in our society.
Waun Ki Hong, M.D., F.A.C.P.,
D.M.Sc.(Hon.)
Head, Division of Cancer Medicine,
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center