Chennai, IIT Madras on Wednesday released a first-of-its-kind comprehensive genome database for pediatric leukemia, colorectal and pancreatic cancer.
IIT-M India releases cancer genome database to identify biomarkersThe ‘India Cancer Genome Atlas’ has been made publicly accessible to researchers and clinicians in India and abroad at bcga.iitm.ac.in, the institute announced on World Cancer Day observed on February 4 every year.
The initiative aims to bridge the critical gap in genomic data for common cancers in the Indian population.
The project, part of the Greater India Cancer Genome Grid, has received major support ₹56 crore from Hyundai Motor India Foundation under its flagship ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’ initiative.
Emphasizing the importance of the database, Prof. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT-M, told PTI, “India is under-represented in global cancer genome studies despite the high prevalence of the disease. This atlas fills an important gap in understanding the genomic landscape of multiple cancers in India”.
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He added that curated collections of genetic variants will facilitate “early diagnosis, tracking disease progression and guiding therapeutic decisions.”
The urgency of the project is underscored by recent Indian Council of Medical Research data, which indicates that one in nine people in India are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime.
The National Cancer Registry Program also reported a 12.8 percent annual increase in cancer incidence from 2022, with around 2.5 million people currently living with the disease in India.
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Professor S Mahalingam, head of the Hyundai Center for Cancer Genomics, IIT Madras, told PTI that the absence of genomic architecture for localized cancers had earlier hampered the development of specific diagnostic kits and drugs.
“This database will be an invaluable resource for identifying cancer-specific biomarkers in India, which will enable early detection,” he said.
He explained that the research involves whole-genome sequencing of patient samples collected across the country, a process that requires standardized protocols for storing samples at -196 degrees Celsius in liquid nitrogen.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving several institutions including Karkinos Healthcare, KK Children’s Trust Hospital and Child Health Institute, Chennai. Beyond research, the partnership with Hyundai includes a ₹3 crore fund to support cancer treatment for low-income families and setting up mobile medical units for underprivileged areas.
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