Dr Hisato Kawakami is an assistant professor in charge of clinical trials/research for gastrointestinal malignancies at the Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine in Osaka, Japan, where he has been employed since 2010. His professional specialty is medical oncology and gastroenterology, and his main research interests include molecular-targeted therapy and immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer.

Dr Kawakami graduated from Kumamoto University, earned his medical degree from Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and his doctorate of philosophy from Kindai University. He currently utilises his expertise in scientific rationale-based translation of novel drugs, including molecular targeted therapy and immuno-oncology therapy, to develop and improve treatment strategies.

Dr Hisato Kawakami has received financial support/sponsorship for research support, consultation, or speaker fees from the following companies:

Consulting fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., MSD K.K., Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi-Sankyo Co. Ltd., and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd; honoraria from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Bayer Yakuhin Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., MSD K.K., Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Yakult Pharmaceutical Industry, Teijin Pharma Ltd., and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; lecture fees from Glaxo Smith Kline K.K., and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; and research funding from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical. Co., Ltd., and Eisai Co. Ltd.