Dr. Ian Okazaki, MD

Expert Publications

• Characterization of NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferases.
• Purine metabolites suppress proliferation of human NK cells through a lineage-specific purine receptor.
• Characterization of glycosylphosphatidylinositiol-anchored, secreted, and intracellular vertebrate mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases.
• Organic peroxides inhibit neutrophil leukotriene B4 biosynthesis.
• Successful adoptive transfer and in vivo expansion of human haploidentical NK cells in patients with cancer.
• Inhibition of arachidonic acid incorporation into erythrocyte phospholipids by peracetic acid and other peroxides. Role of arachidonoyl-CoA: 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acyl transferase.
• Vertebrate mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases.
• ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolases.
• Common structure of the catalytic sites of mammalian and bacterial toxin ADP-ribosyltransferases.
• Characterization of mammalian ADP-ribosylation cycles.
• Cloning and characterization of a novel membrane-associated lymphocyte NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase.
• Molecular characterization of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked ADP-ribosyltransferase from lymphocytes.
• Structure and function of eukaryotic mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases.
• Mono-ADP-ribosylation: a reversible posttranslational modification of proteins.
• An 18-kDa domain of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase possesses NAD glycohydrolase activity.

Media Releases

Get to know Hematologist-Oncologist Dr. Ian Okazaki, who serves patients in Kahului, Hawaii.

A board-certified hematologist-oncologist, Dr. Okazaki is in practice at Hawaii Pacific Health Straub Medical Center - Kahului Clinic. His professional interests include general oncology, melanoma, urologic malignancies, blood and marrow transplantation, and immuno-therapy for cancer.

At Straub Medical Center - Kahului Clinic, the health and safety of their patients, care providers and staff is their top priority. Their mission is to create a healthier Hawaii, and because it is a part of Hawaii Pacific Health, patients have access to one of the largest healthcare systems in Hawaii.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Okazaki graduated with his medical degree from the University of Hawaii, and completed his residency in internal medicine at the West Los Angeles Medical Center. Finally, he completed his fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Minnesota.

An expert in his field, the doctor is board-certified in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Continuously advancing his efforts, Dr. Okazaki is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society of Hematology.

Among his other roles, he can be found on staff at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, and Wilcox Medical Center.

Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A hematologist-oncologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancer, malignant blood diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, and blood disorders such as iron-deficiency anemia, clotting abnormalities, hemophilia, and sickle-cell disease.

Recognized as a Regional Top Doctor by Castle Connolly Magazine, Dr. Okazaki has been the recipient of the Top Doctor Award by Honolulu Magazine (2015-2021), Patients' Choice Award (2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008), Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009), On-Time Doctor Award (2015, 2014, 2009), and Patients' Choice 5th Anniversary Award (2012).

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