India's AI Cancer Platform iOncology.ai Gains Global Spotlight at BRICS Summit

An innovative Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, designed to support cancer care, has been highlighted at the recent BRICS Summit. The platform was featured in a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal, unveiled during the summit held on September 12-13. Developed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, the platform is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Enhancing Cancer Care Through AI

The iOncology.ai platform aims to integrate cancer-related clinical data to assist in early detection, risk stratification, treatment planning, and longitudinal patient-data management. The platform's potential to revolutionize cancer care in emerging economies was explored in the review titled “Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation,” authored by Ashok Sharma and colleagues from AIIMS and C-DAC.

The review highlights the importance of artificial intelligence in improving cancer screening, diagnosis, and access to specialist care. Dr. Ashok Sharma emphasized India's opportunity to demonstrate how local innovations like iOncology.ai can address cancer-care disparities, especially in the Global South.

Current Status and Future Prospects

iOncology.ai is currently undergoing pilot-stage clinical validation and implementation evaluation. The platform is being assessed for its performance and potential clinical application. However, it is not yet clinically validated, and no peer-reviewed studies have confirmed its diagnostic accuracy or clinical utility. Prospective multicentre validation will be essential before it can be widely adopted in clinical settings.

The BRICS countries, which account for over 40% of the world’s population, face significant challenges in cancer care, with approximately 9 million new cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. The wide disparities in cancer patterns and access to care in these regions underscore the need for solutions like iOncology.ai.

Integrating with India's Health Infrastructure

The platform is part of India’s expanding cancer-control and digital-health infrastructure. It aligns with initiatives such as population screening, cancer surveillance, tertiary care, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. iOncology.ai utilizes curated Indian clinical, radiological, and histopathological datasets, with plans to incorporate genetic data and electronic health-record systems.

As the BRICS countries collaborate on strengthening cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment, iOncology.ai represents a significant step towards more equitable cancer care tailored to the needs of emerging economies.