CtDNA for better cancer management
The application of precision oncology to the New Zealand healthcare system
November 2015 – June 2019
This project is developing 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 in this Research Findings Brief. [PDF 369KB]
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
Publications
Puka rangahau
- Comparison of Roche Cell-Free DNA collection Tubes® to Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT®s for sample stability using healthy volunteers Practical Laboratory Medicine (2019)
- An estimate of limited duration cancer prevalence in New Zealand using ‘big’ data New Zealand Medical Journal (2020) 133:1514
Conferences and symposia
- Healthier Lives Kōrero Tahi 2019 November 2019
- Cancer: Where we’re at… November 2017
- Healthier Lives Kōrero Tahi October 2016
Related news
- He Kitenga 2019 research highlights: Personalising cancer University of Otago, January 2020
- New research on circulating tumour DNA for better cancer management in New Zealand December 2019
- 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 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
