AI Platform iOncology.ai Shines in BRICS Health Journal

An innovative artificial intelligence platform from India, iOncology.ai, has been spotlighted in the BRICS Health Journal, coinciding with the BRICS Summit held on September 12-13. Developed collaboratively by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, with backing from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, this platform aims to revolutionize cancer care.

Focus on Comprehensive Cancer Care

iOncology.ai is engineered to integrate various facets of cancer-related clinical data to enhance early detection, risk stratification, treatment planning, multidisciplinary review, and longitudinal patient-data management. The platform's development is a significant step in leveraging technology to tackle cancer care challenges in emerging economies.

The review titled “Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation,” authored by Ashok Sharma and his team from AIIMS and C-DAC, delves into the potential of artificial intelligence to improve cancer screening, early diagnosis, and access to specialist care. Currently, iOncology.ai is undergoing pilot-stage clinical validation and an implementation evaluation to determine its efficacy and potential application in clinical environments.

Addressing Global Cancer Care Disparities

Dr. Ashok Sharma emphasized the opportunity for India to showcase how homegrown innovations like iOncology.ai can bridge cancer-care disparities across the Global South. He stated, “Through BRICS collaboration, our focus should be on strengthening cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and therapy through evidence-based, interoperable solutions tailored to the needs of emerging economies.”

The review highlights the pressing need for improved cancer care, noting that BRICS countries represent over 40% of the world’s population and account for approximately 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. It underscores significant disparities in cancer patterns, access to screening, early diagnosis, and specialist care.

Integration with India's Health Infrastructure

iOncology.ai is positioned within India’s expanding cancer-control and digital-health framework, which includes population screening, cancer surveillance, tertiary care, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The platform utilizes curated Indian clinical, radiological, and histopathological datasets, with future plans to incorporate genetic data and integrate with electronic health-record systems.

Despite its potential, iOncology.ai is not yet clinically validated. The platform is in a research phase, lacking peer-reviewed evidence to establish its diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, or effectiveness. Prospective multicenter validation is required before it can be widely adopted in clinical settings.