iOncology.ai: India's AI Platform for Cancer Care Gains BRICS Spotlight
iOncology.ai, developed by AIIMS and C-DAC, is featured in BRICS Health Journal for its role in transforming cancer care.
An Indian artificial intelligence platform, iOncology.ai, developed by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, has been spotlighted in the BRICS Health Journal during the recent BRICS Summit. The platform aims to revolutionize cancer care by integrating clinical data for enhanced early detection and treatment planning.
Global Recognition at BRICS Summit
The BRICS Summit, held on September 12-13, highlighted iOncology.ai in a special issue of the BRICS Health Journal. This review, titled “Transforming cancer care in emerging economies: India’s AI innovation,” penned by Ashok Sharma and colleagues at AIIMS and C-DAC, explores the potential impact of AI in improving cancer screening and diagnosis across emerging economies.
iOncology.ai is currently in its pilot stage, undergoing clinical validation to assess its effectiveness in real-world settings. The platform is designed to support early detection, risk stratification, and treatment planning, focusing on resource-constrained environments.
Addressing Cancer Care Disparities
Dr. Ashok Sharma from AIIMS emphasized the role of iOncology.ai in bridging cancer-care disparities, particularly within the Global South. He advocates for leveraging BRICS collaboration to enhance cancer prevention and treatment through evidence-based solutions tailored to emerging economies' needs.
The platform is part of India’s broader digital health infrastructure, linking with initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. It utilizes curated Indian datasets and plans to incorporate genetic data and electronic health-record systems to streamline cancer care.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Despite its promising potential, iOncology.ai is not yet clinically validated. It remains in the research phase, with further multicentre validation required before it can be widely adopted in clinical settings. The review underscores the need for robust evidence to establish its diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility.
BRICS countries, accounting for over 40% of the global population, face significant cancer care challenges, with about 9 million new cases and 4.66 million deaths annually. The wide disparities in cancer patterns and access to care highlight the urgency for innovative solutions like iOncology.ai.