New DNA code for improved cancer patient outcomes
Ground-breaking research at the University of Otago, led by A/Prof Aniruddha Chatterjee, Drs Euan Rodger and Jim Smith and their team, has discovered abnormal DNA instruction codes in cancer and identified new functions of cancer genes (referred to as the “epigenetic code of cancer”). Our research team is now seeking funding to translate this work and utilise our knowledge to benefit cancer patients (our work includes multiple cancer types, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer for example). We have developed a highly collaborative, productive and interdisciplinary research team (including clinicians, statisticians, Māori investigators, and international academics) to achieve this goal.
Health research funding is highly stretched and this work needs funding. We are research-only staff (meaning our main focus is the research and its outcomes) and we will continue to apply for external funding. However, as these funding sources are very limited, it could take years to achieve tangible outcomes for patients, so now is the time for action. Every dollar will help us to get closer to achieving meaningful outcomes for patients.
We are currently seeking generous funding for the following work:
- Game changing, non-invasive, and highly sensitive tests for early detection of multiple cancer types (lung, colorectal and prostate cancer) before current tests can pick it up.
- New blood-based, sensitive, and easy tests for predicting and monitoring cancer treatment for patients
- Utilising the epigenetic code for new therapeutic intervention strategies for cancer
We have all of the expertise and collaborations in place. Our aim is to better detect and predict cancer and rapidly bring cancer deaths down. We would appreciate any support for these projects. Now is the time; thank you very much!