IIT Madras Unveils Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA) to Revolutionise Cancer Research in India
- A Landmark Initiative to Drive Early Detection, Personalised Treatment, and Precision Medicine.
- Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas will help identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India to enable early detection of breast cancers and identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population.
Chennai, 3rd February 2025: On the occasion of World Cancer Day 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) proudly announces the launch of the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA)—a groundbreaking initiative that maps the genetic landscape of Indian cancer patients. The BCGA fills a critical gap in the nation’s cancer genomic data, paving the way for improved diagnostics, treatment strategies, and drug discovery tailored to the Indian population.
Elaborating on this initiative, Project Coordinator Prof. S. Mahalingam, Head, Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, IIT Madras, said, “This database will be an invaluable resource to identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India, which will enable early detection of breast cancers in India. Further, it will also be very useful to identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population.”
Further, Prof. S. Mahalingam, also a faculty in the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, added, “BCGA also aims to host data from researchers working on cancer genomics across cancer types and would be open to accepting submissions. The data will be utilised towards identifying biomarkers to identify high-risk groups, monitor cancer progression, design strategies for personalized treatment and understand treatment outcomes.”
On this occasion Dr. Sridhar Sivasubbu, Chief Diagnostics & Research Officer and Lab Director, Karkinos Healthcare said, “As we embark on this groundbreaking journey with the commencement of Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), an initiative of IIT Madras, we are poised to revolutionize cancer care in India. By deciphering the intricate genetic landscape of Indian cancers, we will unlock invaluable insights that will empower clinicians to personalise treatment strategies, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately transform the fight against this formidable disease”.
Dr Sivasubbu further elaborated that “Genomic testing has become integral to cancer diagnosis and making it affordable and accessible is key to mass adoption. I envision a health ecosystem where genomics is part of our routine healthcare offering. At Karkinos Healthcare, we’re committed to harnessing the power of high-quality data to facilitate cutting-edge cancer research, discovery, and innovation. The BCGA collaboration with IIT Madras will enable us to build tailored diagnostic tools, treatment regimes, and drug discoveries to drive meaningful impact for the Indian population. Through these initiatives we’re not only advancing cancer research but also establishing Karkinos as a technology-led, purpose-driven, research-focused oncology platform, enabling discovery through delivery and dedicated to improving lives for populations across India and beyond”.
“Unlocking the secrets of the Indian cancer genome, the BCGA database will emerge as a powerful catalyst for collaboration and innovation, enabling researchers to share, access, and leverage cancer genomic data to accelerate breakthroughs and save lives,” added Dr Vinod Scaria, Chief Data Officer, Karkinos Healthcare.
The initiative, spearheaded by IIT Madras’ Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, was funded under the Government of India’s prestigious Institutions of Eminence program. Developed in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Chennai Breast Clinic, and Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai, the BCGA is now publicly accessible, enabling researchers and clinicians in India and globally to leverage this vast database for pioneering cancer research and innovation.
A Milestone for Indian Healthcare
Cancer remains one of India’s most pressing public health challenges. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one in nine Indians is likely to develop cancer in their lifetime, with over 1.46 million cases currently recorded. The National Cancer Registry Program reports an alarming 12.8% annual increase in cancer incidence since 2022.
To combat this crisis, IIT Madras initiated its cancer genome program in 2020, sequencing 958 whole exomes from 479 breast cancer patient tissue samples collected across the country. This extensive dataset provides vital knowledge on the genetic mechanisms of cancer progression and evolution, propelling India towards a future of precision medicine, where treatments are personalised based on individual genetic profiles.
The BCGA data analysis was conducted under the National Center for Precision Medicine in Cancer, a pioneering initiative between IIT Madras and Karkinos Healthcare. This center is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary research and developing cost-effective, data-driven cancer care solutions tailored for India’s diverse population.
IIT Madras acknowledges the unwavering support from the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, for the Cancer Tissue Biobank facility.
To learn more about the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas, visit http://bcga.iitm.ac.in/
About IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was established in 1959 by the Government of India as an ‘Institute of National Importance.’ The activities of the Institute in various fields of Science and Technology are carried out in 18 academic departments and several advanced interdisciplinary research academic centres. The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to B.Tech., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations. IITM is a residential institute with more than 600 faculty and 9,500 students. Students from 18 countries are enrolled here. IITM fosters an active entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM Incubation Cell.
Recognized as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2019, IITM has been ranked No.1 in the ‘Overall’ Category for the sixth consecutive year in India Ranking 2024 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the ‘Engineering Institutions’ category in the same Rankings for nine consecutive years – from 2016 to 2024. It was also adjudged as the ‘Top innovative Institution’ in the country in Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) in 2019, 2020 and 2021. ARIIA Ranking was launched by the Innovation Cell of Ministry of Education.
About Karkinos Healthcare
Karkinos Healthcare, a step-down subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, is a technology-led, purpose driven oncology platform enabling discovery through delivery of care. Using hub-and-spoke and further spoke model Karkinos has pioneered Distributed Cancer Care Model that addresses cancer prevention, early detection, diagnostics, care delivery and research cutting across the patient care continuum. Through a network of world class advanced molecular diagnostic and research labs, collaborations with leading academic and healthcare institutions in India and abroad and a technology-led platform approach Karkinos delivers quality cancer care in India and beyond. Karkinos is on a mission to provide end-to-end cancer care solutions where no person is deprived of care, for lack of access or affordability.
Media Contact
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