Pioneering Cancer Researcher Dies of Disease She Fought to Cure

Dr. Rachna Shroff, a distinguished cancer researcher at the University of Arizona, has died from an aggressive cancer, the university announced Monday. She was 47.

Shroff was internationally recognized for her pioneering work in bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and historically difficult-to-treat disease. She focused her research on this area when few treatment options and no Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies were available, significantly contributing to advancements in the field through landmark clinical trials she led as a principal investigator.

At the University of Arizona, Shroff held the positions of associate director of clinical investigations at the Cancer Center and chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine - Tucson. She was also an esteemed expert in stomach cancer research.

Her interest in medical research began early, marked by winning the Osler Fellowship in 1993. She was known for developing novel therapies for pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers, authored over 80 publications, and delivered more than 130 presentations. In 2024, she emphasized the importance of making clinical trials accessible to all patients, stating, "It is our role and responsibility to have clinical trials available to the patients that come to see us and to ideally have a trial available to every single patient that walks through the door. To be able to offer them something cutting-edge, different and innovative."

Shroff was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. After her cancer spread, it was identified as terminal adenocarcinoma, a disease affecting the glands lining a person’s organs.

In September, while facing her own life-limiting illness, Shroff established the Conquer Cancer - Rachna Shroff Endowed Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancers. Within weeks, she successfully raised over $1.35 million to support future cancer innovation.

Shroff's commitment extended beyond scientific discovery; she was also noted for her compassionate approach to medicine. Colleagues and organizations remembered her for her intellect, kindness, and ability to bring joy and foster community, even in challenging times. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation shared that she "brought fun everywhere she went," quoting Beyoncé in talks and leading Bollywood lessons.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Puneet Shroff, and her children, Simran and Sachin.