Indian AI Cancer Care Platform Highlighted in BRICS Health Journal
iOncology.ai, developed by AIIMS and C-DAC, gains recognition at the BRICS Summit for its potential in cancer care.
An innovative Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, designed to revolutionize cancer care, has been prominently featured in a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal. This recognition coincides with the BRICS Summit held on September 12-13, where the journal was inaugurated by global leaders.
AI-Based Solution for Cancer Care
Developed collaboratively by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, iOncology.ai aims to integrate diverse cancer-related clinical data. It focuses on early detection, risk stratification, treatment planning, and comprehensive patient-data management. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, reflecting a significant step forward in India's digital health infrastructure.
Global Impact and Recognition
The review titled “Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation” by Dr. Ashok Sharma and his team at AIIMS and C-DAC, explores the potential of AI in enhancing cancer screening, early diagnosis, and access to specialist care. The platform is currently in the pilot phase, undergoing clinical validation and implementation assessment to evaluate its performance in real-world settings.
Dr. Sharma emphasized the opportunity for India to showcase how locally developed technologies like iOncology.ai can address cancer-care disparities across the Global South. He stressed the importance of evidence-based, interoperable solutions tailored to the needs of emerging economies, aiming to provide smarter and more equitable cancer care, especially in resource-limited environments.
Challenges and Future Prospects
The BRICS countries, collectively accounting for over 40% of the global population, face significant challenges in cancer care, with approximately 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. The review highlights disparities in cancer patterns and access to healthcare services, underscoring the platform's potential impact.
iOncology.ai is part of India's broader cancer-control strategy, which includes population screening, cancer surveillance, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. It utilizes curated Indian datasets and plans to incorporate genetic data in the future. However, as of now, the platform is still in research mode, requiring further multicentre validation to confirm its diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility before widespread adoption.