Mater Hospital becomes first in Ireland to introduce new precision cancer tests

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) has become the first hospital in Ireland to successfully introduce new cancer tests which will be invaluable for personalising treatment for patients with aggressive forms of gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers. 

Claudin-18 (CLDN18) and Folate Receptor-1 (FOLR-1) companion diagnostic and therapeutic testing enables clinicians to determine whether patients with certain aggressive cancers may benefit from highly targeted and potentially life-extending cancer immunotherapies.

This represents a significant step forward in personalised medicine in Ireland.

The Mater Hospital has been a leader in the delivery of these new biomarkers and in the past 6 months, once considered clinically appropriate to do so, 92 patients have had their tumour tested.

These meaningful tests are linked to rapidly evolving treatments, and the Mater Hospital is the first hospital to validate their clinical uses in Ireland, even establishing itself as the National Centre for FOLR1 testing.

The newly validated tests, completed by Medical Scientists and Histopathology Consultants in the hospital’s Cellular Pathology Department, identify the presence of specific proteins in tumour tissue, helping to discern whether new, specialised cancer treatments could improve outcomes for individual patients.

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory at the Mater Hospital already provides companion diagnostics for cancers such as breast, colorectal, lung and melanoma, ensuring patients receive therapies tailored to the genetic and molecular profile of their tumours.

The addition of Claudin-18 and FOLR-1 testing builds on this progress, expanding access to emerging immunotherapies for gastric, gastro-oesophageal junction and ovarian cancers.

“Pathology laboratories play a central role in clinical decision-making. Approximately 70% of all medical decisions are informed by pathology test results,” said Dr Ann Treacy, Consultant Histopathologist at the Mater Hospital.

“By expanding our precision diagnostic capabilities, patients in Ireland can benefit from advanced testing that helps us match the right patient to the right treatment. This level of precision is vital for improving outcomes, particularly for patients with few remaining treatment options.”

Claudin-18 testing helps identify patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers who may benefit from novel immunotherapies. FOLR-1 testing supports precision treatment decisions for epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancers by determining whether a patient may be suitable for targeted therapies in cases of recurrent or chemotherapy-resistant disease.

Together, these tests offer new possibilities for patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options.

“The introduction of these biomarkers represents a meaningful step forward for patients facing some of the most challenging cancers,” said Dr Darren Cowzer, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Mater Hospital.

“Having rapid access to high-quality local Claudin-18 and FOLR-1 testing allows us to identify candidates for targeted therapies much earlier, ensuring treatment decisions are timely, and precise.

These advances give more patients the opportunity to benefit from standard and experimental therapies that may significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.”

The validation of this testing reflects the Mater Hospital’s continued focus on advancing diagnostic capabilities to support high-quality, patient-centred cancer care.

Mater Hospital CEO, Josephine Ryan Leacy said, “Introducing this testing in the Mater represents an important enhancement of our cancer services.

“This progress is the result of the commitment and expertise of our pathology, oncology and laboratory teams, whose work ensures that patients across Ireland can benefit from advanced diagnostics, available close to home.”