The Japan Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Oncology Network (JON-HBP) was established in January 2021 to develop effective treatments for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer, to establish new treatments, to support researchers conducting clinical cancer research, and to provide the general public with information on medical treatment for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer. Thanks to the great efforts of Dr. Junji Furuse, the first president and chairman of the board, many institutions have participated and several clinical trials have been proposed and conducted in a short period of time, and further development is expected. It is a great honor for me to be asked to serve as the President of this organization at this important time, and at the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility to fulfill this important responsibility.

The Japan Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Oncology Network (JON-HBP) currently has 66 institutional members and 20 supporting members (as of March 2022), and is the largest organization in Japan dedicated to clinical trials and clinical research related to hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer is a disease that affects more than 100,000 people in Japan each year, but treatment results are not yet satisfactory. To overcome this intractable cancer, it is essential to make advances in surgery, drug therapy, and radiation therapy, and to provide multidisciplinary treatment through close collaboration among surgery, internal medicine, and radiology.

On the other hand, in order to provide optimal treatment for patients and realize patient-centered medicine, it is important to know the wishes and needs of patients and the public, as well as to provide appropriate information to the general public.

Through the Japan Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Oncology Network (JON-HBP), we hope to contribute to the development of liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancer treatment by collaborating with various research groups, companies, patient support groups, and overseas researchers, with a view to international collaboration, especially in Asia.

In order to ensure a bright future for the treatment of liver, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancer in the next 10 to 20 years, and to contribute to the health and welfare of the nation, we, together with Advisor Furuse (first President), Secretary General Ueno, and all the directors, employees, and members, will make every effort to devote our whole selves to this endeavor.

We look forward to your support and guidance.

April, 2022

JON-HBP Chair

Hiroaki Nagano, M.D., Ph.D.