The work University of Otago Medical School researcher Magda Ratajska is doing will help doctors provide the right treatment for New Zealand women experiencing ovarian cancer.
The Otago Medical Research Foundation has funded a project to develop a DNA test that detects a specific genetic function known as HRD (homologous recombination repair), which is present in up to half of ovarian cancers.
Patients with this particular type of ovarian cancer will respond differently to the drug treatments currently available, so It’s important to know whether HRD is present in their DNA.
Over 300 woman are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in New Zealand each year.. The aim of having a test is to make sure the right treatment is targeted to those who will respond to it, rather than the current one-size-fits-all approach.
The test is available in other countries but not in New Zealand.
Magda is using the Foundation’s funding to investigate existing tests, collaborating with counterparts in her native Poland. From that it’s hoped a test could be developed that is suitable for New Zealanders.
“This is a translational project – that is it is working at the clinical end of research, where we can make use of work already done and work with the health system to make new tests widely available.”
She says without the Foundation funding, this particular project wouldn’t be possible. “Once we show that the test can be done, then it will happen. We’ve stopped talking about it, we’re now doing it – we’ve made a start.”
“It’s an area of research that is very satisfying to me, because it will make a difference to the lives of New Zealand women.”
Magda graduated in Biotechnology in 2000 and worked as a human geneticist in Poland for over 20 years. During her career, she developed several different tests, including one to identify individuals at risk of breast and ovarian cancer which still is widely used as an important first step in diagnosis.
She is excited about the potential for precision medicine, which is genetic-based treatments that targets the individual patient. “There is so much it can do to improve health care into the future. Scaling treatment according to needs will save lives and will also mean public funds into health are spent wisely.”
“I love that interface of diagnostic research and contact with patients. If I can help people I will.”
“And I love living in New Zealand, and I’m happy to have a part in helping New Zealand-specific populations to benefit from these emerging genetic technologies.