Indian AI Platform iOncology.ai Showcased at BRICS Health Summit
iOncology.ai, an AI-driven cancer care platform, was highlighted at the BRICS Health Summit, emphasizing its potential to transform cancer care in emerging economies.
An innovative Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, designed to enhance cancer care, was prominently featured at the recent BRICS Health Summit. This recognition came as part of a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal, unveiled during the summit held on September 12-13.
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, with backing from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, iOncology.ai aims to revolutionize cancer treatment. The platform integrates clinical data to support early detection, risk assessment, treatment planning, and patient management.
AI Platform's Contribution to Cancer Care
A review titled “Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation” authored by Ashok Sharma and his team from AIIMS and C-DAC highlights the potential of iOncology.ai to improve cancer screening, early diagnosis, and access to specialist care. This initiative is currently in the pilot phase, undergoing clinical validation and implementation evaluation.
Dr. Ashok Sharma, speaking to the Times of India, emphasized the significance of locally developed innovations like iOncology.ai in addressing cancer-care disparities across the Global South. He highlighted the BRICS collaboration's focus on enhancing cancer prevention and treatment through interoperable solutions tailored for emerging economies.
Addressing Global Cancer Challenges
The review notes that BRICS countries account for over 40% of the global population, with around 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. It underscores the disparities in cancer incidence and access to care, positioning iOncology.ai within India's growing cancer-control infrastructure, which includes population screening and cancer surveillance efforts.
iOncology.ai utilizes curated datasets from Indian clinical, radiological, and histopathological sources, with plans to incorporate genetic data and integrate with electronic health records. However, the platform is still in the research phase, lacking peer-reviewed evidence of its diagnostic accuracy and clinical effectiveness. Multicenter validation will be necessary before it sees broader clinical application.