Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) for better cancer care
Integration of ctDNA into the New Zealand healthcare system
August 2019 – June 2023
Undergoing cancer treatment can be traumatic, difficult and time-consuming for patients, and there are inequities in access to cancer treatment in the current healthcare system.
Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging technology which uses simple blood tests to identify and measure cancer markers in the bloodstream. It offers potential to develop a new community-based method for monitoring the progress of cancer treatment.
For patients, the benefits of ctDNA technology include testing that is less invasive, more timely and closer to home, and treatment that is more targeted, has fewer side effects and better long term outcomes. For the healthcare system, integrating ctDNA technology promises to reduce health inequities, reduce pressure on hospital radiology departments, and reduce costs.
An earlier study has confirmed the utility of ctDNA for the management of colorectal cancer and melanoma, and demonstrated the feasibility of remote sample collection.
The goal of this study is to demonstrate the utility of ctDNA technology for the management of other cancers in a variety of clinical settings across New Zealand, and to establish the technology as a routine, validated clinical service.
Research Team
Parry Guilford, Cris Print and Dianne Sika-Paotonu at the Healthier Lives Kōrero Tahi 2019
Science leader and principal investigator:
Co-principal investigators:
Associate investigators:
- Dr Chris Jackson, University of Otago
- Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, University of Otago
- Andrew Sporle, University of Auckland
- Sandra Fitzgerald, University of Auckland
- Dr Gavin Harris, Canterbury District Health Board
- Prof Bridget Robinson, University of Otago – Christchurch
- Dr Rosalie Stephens, University of Auckland
- Dr Michelle Wilson, University of Auckland
- Dr Andy Wood, University of Auckland
- Dr Jon Mathy, Counties Manukau Health District Health Board
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