Indian AI Platform for Cancer Care Gains Spotlight at BRICS Summit
iOncology.ai, developed by AIIMS and C-DAC, features in BRICS Health Journal, highlighting AI's potential in cancer care.
An innovative Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, designed to enhance cancer care, has been spotlighted at the recent BRICS Summit. The platform is featured in a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal, underscoring its potential impact on cancer screening and treatment in emerging economies.
Collaboration Between AIIMS and C-DAC
The iOncology.ai platform is a collaborative effort between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune. Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the platform aims to integrate clinical data related to cancer, aiding in early detection, risk stratification, treatment planning, and comprehensive patient-data management.
Focus on Emerging Economies
Dr. Ashok Sharma from AIIMS, who co-authored a review titled “Transforming Cancer Care in Emerging Economies: India’s AI Innovation,” emphasized the platform's potential to address cancer-care disparities in the Global South. Highlighting the significance of BRICS collaboration, Sharma noted the importance of developing evidence-based, interoperable solutions tailored to the needs of countries with limited resources.
The review points out that BRICS nations, accounting for over 40% of the global population, face significant challenges with approximately 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. The disparities in cancer patterns and access to care among these countries underline the urgent need for innovative solutions like iOncology.ai.
Integrating Technology in Cancer Control
iOncology.ai is part of India’s broader cancer-control strategy, integrating with national initiatives such as population screening, cancer surveillance, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The platform employs curated clinical, radiological, and histopathological datasets from Indian patients, with plans to incorporate genetic data and electronic health-record systems in the future.
Despite its promising potential, iOncology.ai is still in the pilot stage of clinical validation. Currently, it is undergoing performance evaluations in research settings, with further multicenter validation required before it can be adopted widely in clinical practice.
Dr. Sharma expressed optimism about the platform's future, stating that it could empower clinicians by enabling earlier and more informed cancer care, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The emphasis remains on bridging the gap in cancer care accessibility and quality across emerging economies.