This project will develop minimally invasive biomarkers for cancer detection, with an emphasis on circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) for melanoma and colorectal cancer. These cancers have been selected because their incidence in New Zealand is amongst the highest in the world.
The markers will reduce reliance on highly specialised imaging techniques only available at tertiary level hospitals. This increases health equity by removing barriers to rural communities (including marae-based care). Importantly, development of markers for these cancers will include ways to best integrate their use into the existing and emerging cancer screening programmes.
Read more about the project at Improving life and outcomes for cancer patients.
CtDNA for better cancer management: the application of precision oncology to the New Zealand healthcare system
Science leader and principal investigator:
Co-principal investigators:
Associate investigators:
- Dr Rob Day, University of Otago
- Dr Rosalie Stephens, University of Auckland
- Dr Jon Mathy, Counties Manukau Health (DHB)
- Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, University of Otago
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- Simple cancer tests potential lifeline for Pacific patients Scoop.co.nz, November 2018
- Dr Chris Jackson on the impact of CtDNA technology, YouTube (5m49s), July 2018
- New monitoring method could help Māori cancer patients, University of Otago, April 2018
- Cancer project takes aim at health inequities April 2018
- He Kitenga 2017 University of Otago research highlights: Life saver University of Otago, January 2018
- Science Made Simple: Parry Guilford on cancer NZ Herald, January 2018
- Improving life and outcomes for cancer patients November 2017
- Healthier Lives researchers on ‘The Cause of Cancer’ November 2017
- Reaping the benefit of New Zealand’s health data May 2017
- Cancer detection and treatment aided by test sensitivity August 2016
- Healthier Lives researchers feature in Gene Genie series June 2016
- Healthier Lives cancer programme highlighted November 2015
