Michael McHale , 2025-04-23 07:30:00
Researchers hope MAGIC-I project will lead to every child and adolescent with cancer here receiving deep genome analysis to determine best way to manage their illness
A major step towards the genomic sequencing of all children with cancer is set to get underway from today.
Researchers have launched ‘MAGIC-I’, a five-year clinical study that will harness the power of genetics, genomics, and big data to optimise treatments in childhood cancers.
The project will put in place the processes to carry out deep genomic analysis for all children and adolescents with cancer in Ireland, including those who have experienced a relapse of their disease.
Clinicians behind the ground-breaking Irish study hope it will allow them to provide more precise cancer diagnoses, leading to more targeted therapies – ultimately contributing to more young lives saved.
Among the speakers at today’s launch will, Noreen Doyle, a mum-of-four who has been through cancer diagnoses with two of her children.
“In that moment when you get the diagnosis, you hear more words; ‘life-threatening illness’, ‘chemotherapy’, ‘complications from medicines’. The thoughts of what was ahead of my little boy just terrified me – it’s every parent’s biggest fear,” she said.
“This is why it is so important to advance precision and personalised approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment, so the day that diagnosis comes, families have the comfort of knowing their child will get not only the most effective care but also treatment that minimises the side effects and risks.”
MAGIC-I stands for ‘Molecular and Genomic Interrogation of Childhood Cancer – Ireland’. It is a collaboration among University College Dublin (UCD), Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), Precision Oncology Ireland, and industry collaborators with computational modelling and data science by Systems Biology Ireland (SBI).
“I cannot emphasize enough how big of a signal this is for the Irish healthcare system and likely also beyond it,” said SBI director Prof Walter Kolch.
“Importantly, it steps up to a global ambition in its seamless amalgamation of clinical research with advanced computational modelling. It is a trailblazer in incorporating new concepts for personalized medicine, such as digital twins, and for hand-in-glove cooperation between clinical research and cutting-edge computational modelling, which is still very unique.”
Consultant paediatric haematologist at CHI Crumlin, Prof Owen Smith, added: “In the past decade, genome sequencing has not only enabled critical advances in our understanding of how leukaemia develops but also why some patients fail to respond to initial treatment, relapse later, or experience severe toxicities leading to injury, secondary illnesses and secondary cancers.
“The rollout of MAGIC-I will allow the clinical implementation of sequence-based approaches for more precise diagnosis and management of cancers that will ultimately translate into better outcomes for patients. It will allow us to develop personalised treatments for Irish children who develop cancer.”
HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry described the project as ‘a significant milestone’ in Irish cancer care.
“It is a great example for the vision of introducing genome sequencing and accompanying research into clinical care, laid out in the ‘National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland,’ which was developed by the HSE to advance healthcare using leading edge technology and approaches.”
