iOncology.ai: Indian AI Platform for Cancer Care Spotlighted at BRICS

The Indian artificial intelligence platform iOncology.ai, designed to enhance cancer care, has been prominently featured in the BRICS Health Journal. This recognition comes as the platform was reviewed during the recent BRICS Summit held on September 12-13.

Developed through a collaboration between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, iOncology.ai is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The platform aims to integrate comprehensive cancer-related clinical data to aid in early detection, risk stratification, treatment planning, and patient-data management.

AI's Role in Transforming Cancer Care

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 AI to revolutionize cancer screening, early diagnosis, and access to specialized care. The platform is currently in the pilot-stage of clinical validation, undergoing assessments to evaluate its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings.

Dr. Ashok Sharma expressed optimism about the platform's capabilities, stating that India has a unique opportunity to showcase how innovations like iOncology.ai can address cancer-care disparities, particularly across the Global South. He emphasized the importance of BRICS collaboration in strengthening cancer prevention and treatment through evidence-based, interoperable solutions tailored for emerging economies.

Addressing Global Health Disparities

The BRICS nations, accounting for over 40% of the global population, face significant challenges with approximately 9 million new cancer cases and 4.66 million cancer-related deaths annually. The review highlights the disparities in cancer patterns, access to early diagnosis, and specialist care within these countries.

iOncology.ai is positioned within India's expanding digital health infrastructure, which includes population screening, cancer surveillance, and tertiary care initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The platform leverages curated Indian datasets, with future plans to incorporate genetic data and integrate with electronic health record systems.

However, the platform has not yet been clinically validated. It is still in a research phase, lacking peer-reviewed evidence to confirm its diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility. Prospective multicentre validation studies will be critical before iOncology.ai can be adopted for widespread clinical use.