Cancer Researcher Rachna Shroff Dies at 47 of Disease She Studied

Dr. Rachna Shroff, a physician-scientist and associate director of clinical investigations at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, has died at the age of 47. She passed away following a battle with terminal adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer she had spent her career researching and treating.

Diagnosis and Final Months

Shroff was diagnosed earlier this year after developing a swollen lymph node in May. According to the University of Arizona, testing showed the cancer had likely originated in her stomach or intestine and had spread elsewhere in her body by the end of the month. While her medical team initially suspected lymphoma, the diagnosis was later confirmed as terminal adenocarcinoma, which grows in the cells that line organs.

Despite the diagnosis, Shroff continued to engage with the scientific community. She attended the 2025 conference for the American Society of Clinical Oncology just days after learning of her condition. "It’s been a journey," Shroff told NBC News’ Anne Thompson in a Zoom interview shortly before her death. "I’ve spent my entire life trying to eradicate cancer, primarily pancreatic cancer, but also liver cancers."

Professional Legacy and Research

Shroff was internationally recognized for her work in cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, a rare and historically difficult-to-treat disease. According to the University of Arizona, she focused on this area when few treatment options existed and no Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies were available. Her leadership in landmark clinical trials helped change the field dramatically.

At the University of Arizona, Shroff served as the inaugural John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professor for Gastrointestinal Oncology and as associate dean for clinical and translational research. She authored more than 80 publications and spoke at more than 130 professional engagements. Dr. Dan Theodorescu, director of the cancer center, noted that Shroff helped move forward hundreds of clinical trials and recruited "very, very bright young people" to the institution.

Endowed Award for Future Researchers

One of Shroff’s final wishes was to establish a permanent funding source for the next generation of scientists. In September, she created the "Conquer Cancer–Rachna Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancer." Friends, colleagues, and supporters raised more than $1.35 million to endow the award, which the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Conquer Cancer organization says will ensure "a new researcher is funded every year in perpetuity."

Shroff often cited her personal motto, "If you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine," in interviews. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Puneet Shroff, and their two children, Simran, 17, and Sachin, 13. She is also survived by her parents, Devendar Trivedi and Dr. Amita Trivedi, and her sister, Neema Sahni.

Why it matters

Shroff’s death highlights the personal risks faced by medical professionals and underscores the importance of clinical trial infrastructure. Her establishment of the endowed award ensures that her work in biliary cancer research will continue to support emerging scientists, preserving a legacy of innovation in a field that previously lacked effective treatments.

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Sources

• today.com: Leading Cancer Researcher Dies at 47 From Aggressive GI Cancer
• nypost.com: University of Arizona cancer researcher Rachna Shroff dies of disease she was trying to cure
• aol.com: Cancer researcher dies at 47 of disease she was trying to cure - AOL
• hindustantimes.com: Indian-American cancer researcher, 47, dies of disease she was trying to cure | Trending
• people.com: Trailblazing Doctor and Researcher, 47, Dies of the Cancer She Was Working to Cure
• tucson.com: U of A cancer researcher dies of disease she fought to cure

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