Dr Samantha Cairncross has had a lifelong fascination with science, nurtured since childhood through her exploration of microscopic organisms and distant galaxies. This passion has culminated in a revolutionary PhD thesis that sheds light on the genetic factors predicting severe side effects from radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients, particularly within sub-Saharan African populations. Her groundbreaking research aims to develop personalised treatment plans tailored to the unique genetic diversity of African populations, addressing a critical gap in global health research.

Early influences and educational Journey

Dr Cairncross first attended Helderberg Primary School and then Bishop Lavis Primary School, where her love of science was nurtured. It also helped that her father, who has since retired, was a primary school teacher. He brought home science books that first sparked her interest in the subject. She credits her mother’s example as an extremely hard worker who instilled in her the values of perseverance and discipline—qualities that carried her through the long years of doctoral research. Dr Cairncross believes that passion must be backed by hard work.

Addressing inequality and scientific oppression

“Growing up in Bishop Lavis and Elsies, I saw a lot of inequality and poverty. You see, local populations suffer. I went into medical science, and as I read the literature while doing my PhD, I realised that we are not just oppressed by poverty or economic or societal standards, but we are also oppressed scientifically,” said Dr Cairncross.

Her thesis, a seven-year labour of love, investigates the genetic factors that predict severe side effects from radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients, particularly within sub-Saharan African populations.

Groundbreaking findings in radiogenomics

“The onset of side effects has been shown to be caused by genetics. In our study, we investigated the genetic factors contributing to why patients get sick or experience side effects as a result of the treatment,” she explained.

“We found numerous genetic markers that could determine why some patients experience side effects and others do not. This field of radiogenomics represents the first such study conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, as our populations are often excluded from existing studies.”

These side effects can significantly diminish a patient’s quality of life and may force doctors to interrupt or reduce treatment, potentially compromising the chance of a cure. The study found significant associations between several genetic variants and an increased risk of severe toxicities.

A major gap in global health research

This research is particularly significant as it addresses a major gap in global health research. “My journey in genetics began with a BSc in Medical Bioscience, where I was drawn to the transformative potential of genetics in healthcare. However, during my PhD, I encountered the stark reality that local genetic research is lacking in South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region,” said Dr Cairncross.

The study’s findings could pave the way for pre-screening patients to identify those at higher risk of adverse effects, allowing for customised treatment plans that reduce toxicities without compromising treatment efficacy. Looking ahead, Cairncross and her supervisors plan to validate these findings in larger, more diverse cohorts and expand their research to include other African populations.

The future of radiogenomics in Africa

“The potential impact of radiogenomics in sub-Saharan Africa extends beyond improving individual patient outcomes. It could help address the growing cancer burden in developing nations while contributing to a global understanding of genetic variations in radiation response,” Dr Cairncross concluded.

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