Indian AI Cancer Platform Gains Global Attention at BRICS Summit
iOncology.ai, an AI platform for cancer care, is spotlighted in the BRICS Health Journal, aiming to transform cancer treatment in emerging economies.
An Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, developed to enhance cancer care, has been showcased in the BRICS Health Journal during the recent BRICS Summit. This innovative platform, a collaboration between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, receives backing from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
AI-Driven Cancer Care Innovation
The platform is designed to integrate clinical data related to cancer, facilitating early detection and risk stratification. It also supports treatment planning, multidisciplinary reviews, and longitudinal patient-data management. 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, explores the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance cancer screening, diagnosis, and access to specialized care.
Clinical Validation and Implementation
iOncology.ai is currently in the pilot stage of clinical validation and implementation evaluation. This phase aims to assess its performance and potential application within clinical settings. Dr. Ashok Sharma emphasizes the opportunity for India to demonstrate how locally developed innovations like iOncology.ai can address cancer-care disparities across the Global South. He highlights the importance of BRICS collaboration in strengthening cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment through evidence-based, interoperable solutions tailored for emerging economies.
Addressing Global Cancer Disparities
The need for such innovations is critical, given that BRICS countries represent over 40% of the global population and account for approximately 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. The review underscores significant disparities in cancer patterns and access to screening, diagnosis, and specialist care. iOncology.ai aims to integrate with India's expanding cancer-control and digital-health infrastructure, including population screening, cancer surveillance, tertiary care, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
The platform currently utilizes curated Indian clinical, radiological, and histopathological datasets, with plans to incorporate genetic data and collaborate with electronic health-record systems. However, iOncology.ai is not yet clinically validated, and no peer-reviewed evidence has established its diagnostic accuracy or clinical utility. Prospective multicenter validation is necessary before it can be widely used in clinical practice.