Research / Precision medicine and personalised prevention

Biomarkers for cancer detection

Applying precision oncology to the New Zealand healthcare system for better cancer management

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Funding: $2,253,000 Timeframe: November 2015 – June 2019

HE AHA TĀ MĀTOU I TŪHURA AI

What we investigated

Take | Issue

The current system for monitoring cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand relies on highly specialised imaging techniques, only available at large hospitals.

Whāinga | Aim

The aim of the project was to reduce inequities in access to cancer treatment which exist in the current healthcare system and improve the overall quality of care for all cancer patients by developing less invasive and more sensitive blood tests which could be delivered in community-based health care settings.

Huarahi i whāia | Approach

This project developed and tested minimally invasive biomarkers using circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) to detect colorectal cancer and melanoma. These cancers were selected because their incidence in New Zealand is amongst the highest in the world.

NGA PUTANGA ME TE PĀNGA

Outcomes and Impact

Putanga | Outcome

This research confirmed the utility of ctDNA for the management of colorectal cancer and melanoma, and demonstrated the feasibility of remote sample collection in New Zealand.

Te ara kei mua | Next steps

A new study will build on these outcomes to demonstrate the utility of ctDNA technology for the management of other cancers in a variety of clinical settings across New Zealand.

Nga hua o te rangahau | Research products

      • ctDNA-based tests for colorectal cancer and melanoma
      • bioinformatics pipeline to analyse test data

Whakawhiti Mōhiotanga

Knowledge Exchange

Puka Rangahau | Academic Publications

Ētahi atu puka | Other publications

Pāpāho | Media

kōnae whakaata | Video

ctdna for better cancer management

Research Findings Brief

CtDNA is not simply a diagnostic test, but a disruptive technology at the vanguard of precision medicine. It brings with it the potential for broad changes in how cancer is treated day to day, and has numerous potential applications for the care of individual patients.

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Project Team

Project Staff Parry Guilford

Professor Parry Guilford

Science Lead & Principal Investigator
University of Otago
Cris Print

Professor Cris Print

Co-principal investigator
University of Auckland
Project Staff Chris Jackson

Dr Chris Jackson

Co-Principal Investigator
University of Otago
Project Staff Diane Sika Paotonu

Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu

Associate Investigator
University of Otago, Wellington
Jon Mathy

Dr Jon Mathy

Associate Investigator
Counties Manukau DHB
Project Staff Rob Day

Dr Rob Day

Associate Investigator
University of Otago
Rosalie Stephens

Dr Rosalie Stephens

Associate Investigator
University of Auckland
Project Staff Donghui Zou

Dr Donghui Zou

Associate Investigator
University of Otago

Research Partners

Auckland District Health Board Canterbury Health Laboratories Genomics Aotearoa Grafton Clinical Genomics Southern District Health Board

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