Randall F. Holcombe, MD, MBA
Director, University of Vermont Cancer Center
Affiliate Member, Cancer Biology Program, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Director and J. Walter Juckett Chair in Cancer Research, University of Vermont Cancer Center
Adjunct Professor, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Degree(s):
1983 - MD, University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
2014 - MBA, Mount Sinai/Zicklin School of Business of Baruch College, New York, NY
1983 - 1986 - Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
1986 - 1989 - Research/Clinical Fellow in Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Brigham & Women's Hospital;
Research Fellow in Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Research Focus
I have been engaged in academic research in oncology for over 20 years including directing translational laboratory research and conducting over 300 cancer clinical trials, involving numerous investigator-initiated trials, focused on GI malignancies. My research has been focused on colon carcinogenesis and Wnt signaling, elucidating the role of extracellular modulators of Wnt signaling in the tumor microenvironment and their contribution to tumor progression, invasion and metastatic dissemination. My work on translational studies in colon cancer has led to a better understanding of the potential role of natural products such as resveratrol and genistein for cancer prevention and treatment. Over the past several years I have also been engaged in quality and health care delivery research, including studies that have focused on patient-reported outcomes and new paradigms to measure and improve the quality of health care delivery. Much of this research has focused on the quality of care that can reduce health disparities for at-risk racial and ethnic populations.
Selected Publications
Victor JA, Jordan TX, Lamkin EN, Ikeh, KE, March A, Frere JJ, Crompton A, Allen LP, Fanning J, Lim WY, Muoio D, Fouquerel E, Martindale R, DeWitt J, DeLance N, Taatjes D, Dragon J, Holcombe RF, Greenblatt MS, Kaminsky DA, Hong J, Zhou P, tenOever BR, Chatterjee N. SARS-CoV-2 hijacks host cell genome instability pathways. Molecular Cell 2023, submitted. Res Sq. 2022 Apr 14:rs.3.rs-1556634. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1556634/v1. Preprint.
Holcombe RF, Verschraegen C, Chapman AE, Gaffney D, Goldberg RM, Mesa RA, Milhem M, Mims MP, Mitchell EP, Mulkerin D, Vijayakumar S. Status of the clinician investigator in America: An essential health care provider driving advances in cancer care. J NCCN, 2021 in press.
Okado I, Pagano I, Cassel K, Su’eus’e A, Rhee J, Berenberg J, Holcombe RF. (2022). The clinical research professional providing care coordination support: A study of NCORP trial participants. JCO Oncology Practice. doi: 10.1200/OP.21.00655, March 16, 2022.
Gerson SL, Shaw K, Harrison LB, Holcombe RF, Hutchins L, Lee CB, Loehrer PJ, Mulkerin D, Purcell T, Teston L, Weiner LM, Weiner GJ. (2021). Status of cancer care at network sites of the nation’s academic cancer centers. Journal NCCN, March 11. doi:10.6004/jnccn.2020.7656 [On-line ahead of print].
Gerson SL, Shaw K, Harrison L, Holcombe RF, Hutchins L, Lee C, Loehrer PJ, Mulkerin DT, Purcell T, Teston L, Weiner LM, Weiner GJ. Status of cancer care at network sites of the nation’s cancer centers. J NCCN, 2020 in press.
Okado I, Pagano I, Cassel K, Holcombe RF. (2020). Perceptions of Care Coordination in Cancer Patient-Family Caregiver Dyads. Support Care Cancer; Sep 24. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05764-8. [On-line ahead of print].
Publication list via PubMed
Active Grants
Holcombe, PI
Cancer Center Support Grant, J. Walter Juckett Foundation
7/1/22 – 6/30/27
Holcombe, PI
Clinical Research Program Support Grant, J. Walter Juckett Foundation
10/1/22 – 9/30/25
Holcombe, PI
Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer; Vermont Department of Health
7/1/22 – 6/30/27
Holcombe (Mentor); Okado, PI
1KO1HSO28730-A1
AHRQ
"Development of an electronic tool to improve access to cancer clinical trials in rural areas."
7/1/22 – 6/30/26
