‘MAGIC-I’ hopes to optimise treatment of child and adolescent cancer

Posted on: 05 May 2025

A major step towards the genomic sequencing of all children with cancer was recently 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 implement the processes required 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.

 ‘Molecular and Genomic Interrogation of Childhood Cancer – Ireland’ or MAGIC-I  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).

Clinicians behind the ground-breaking Irish study hope it will enable them to provide more precise cancer diagnoses, leading to more targeted therapies – ultimately contributing to more young lives saved.

Prof. Owen Smith, Professor of Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, Trinity College Dublin, Consultant paediatric haematologist at Children's Health Ireland & St. James’s Hospital, and MAGIC-I collaborator, said: 

“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.”

At the launch of 'MAGIC-I' were (L-R): Prof Mary Horgan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health; Noreen Doyle, Patient Advocate; Prof Owen Smith, Professor of Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, Trinity College Dublin, and Principal Investigator on MAGIC-I; Prof Walter Kolch, Director of Systems Biology Ireland, UCD, and Principal Investigator on MAGIC-I; Triona McCormack, Vice-President for Strategy and External Engagement, UCD; Prof Susa Bensler, Chief Academic Officer, Children’s Health Ireland; and Prof Risteard O'Laoide, Director, National Cancer Control Programme

Noreen Doyle, a mum-of-four who has been through cancer diagnoses with two of her children was one of the speakers at the launch. She said: 

“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.”

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.”

• Tags:
• Health
• Innovation
• Research