Malaghan Institute to collaborate with IARC/WHO to reduce global burden of stomach cancer

The Memorandum of Understanding will support research into stomach cancer prevention and control by addressing H. pylori infection – including tackling antibiotic resistance, developing screen-and-treat strategies and sharing scientific findings and methods. 

Dr Tom Mules says the MOU is recognition that the Malaghan’s H. pylori research and expertise has relevance well beyond New Zealand. 

“Working with the IARC gives us the chance to contribute directly to the evidence base and toolkit that could shape stomach cancer prevention and control internationally.” 

The Malaghan Institute’s H. pylori clinical research programme has been running since 2024, initially focused on developing new methods to test for antibiotic resistance, and expanding into a number of projects aimed at improving how H. pylori infection is diagnosed and treated. 

Stomach cancer ranks fifth in both cancer incidence and cancer-related death worldwide. In New Zealand it disproportionately impacts Māori and Pacific peoples. Most cases are caused by chronic infection with H. pylori, which can be prevented through successful eradication of the bacterium. However, increased antibiotic resistance to H. pylori is a major public health concern. 

Through its global ENIGMA studies, the IARC is investigating resistance to a common antibiotic used for H. pylori infections – clarithromycin – across different geographic regions. This will allow better understanding of global patterns and the development of effective population-based H. pylori screen-and-treat strategies for gastric cancer prevention.  

Dr Mules says the IARC has been particularly interested in a new molecular technique developed and validated through the Malaghan’s research programme, to detect clarithromycin resistance mutations in H. pylori using stool samples. 

“Testing for antibiotic resistance in H. pylori typically means an endoscopic biopsy. So finding alternative, non-invasive ways to detect resistance at a larger scale is important if we’re going to get on top of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis and maximise the efficacy of stomach cancer prevention strategies.” 

As part of the ongoing collaboration with ENIGMA New Zealand, the IARC plans to conduct a pilot study in collaboration with Dr Mules’ laboratory, using this new technique.  

Dr Jin Young Park, Team Leader of the Gastric Cancer Prevention team within the Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch at IARC says the MOU marks the beginning of a productive relationship with a shared vision. 

“As Dr Mules’ laboratory shares our team’s goal of reducing the global burden of gastric cancer through addressing H. pylori infection, we anticipate that further collaborative projects will be developed beyond the current pilot on clarithromycin resistance.”