Mapping India’s Cancer Genome: A New Era in Personalized Medicine with ICGA

Mapping India’s Cancer Genome: A New Era in Personalized Medicine with ICGA

Cancer is an adversary that has touched the lives of countless families across India. With over 14.1 lakh new cancer cases and 9.1 lakh deaths reported annually (WHO Globocan data 2022), the battle against this disease is more urgent than ever. Limited cancer awareness, delayed diagnosis, and the reduced effectiveness of standard Western treatment protocols compounds the complexity of the disease. The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) stands at the forefront of this fight, leveraging cutting-edge genomic research to support transformation of cancer care in India. 

A Vision for Change

India’s 1.4 billion population belong to diverse ethnicities, cultures and regions, resulting in substantial genomic differences. Clinical research has hardly explored these genomic differences, as Indian genomes account for a meagre 0.2% of worldwide genetic databases. The ICGA’s data generation helps address the underrepresentation of Indians and impacts clinical practice by enabling more accurate and personalized cancer research.

The ICGA was established with a singular mission: to create a comprehensive clinically correlated multi-omics database of the genetic variations that drive cancer in the Indian population. This initiative, inspired by the success of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) in the United States, aims to map the genomic landscape of cancers prevalent in India. Our goal is to enable personalized treatment strategies that improve patient outcomes and finally save lives.

Pioneering Genomic Research

Since our inception, the ICGA has embarked on an ambitious journey to sequence cancer genomes from patients across India. This enormous effort involves collaboration with leading cancer hospitals, research institutions, and universities nationwide. 

The ICGA gathers biological and clinical data ethically in ‘de-identified format’ from consenting patients. Using advanced next-generation technologies, the genetic features of the disease are systematically characterized. The data is then correlated with the patients’ clinical histories, such as diagnosis, treatment, and response to therapy. Approved users can then access the data for research purposes. The scale and complexity of the data necessitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among teams of clinicians, bioinformaticians, data scientists and engineers to derive meaning and facilitate discoveries. 

The ICGA plans to extend its scope to more cancers that affect Indian populations, including lung, prostate, gall bladder, and other gynecological cancers.

The Power of Collaboration and Challenges Ahead

The success of the ICGA is a testament to the power of collaboration. We have forged partnerships with renowned hospitals, national research entities and technology organizations to advance our mission. These alliances have not only enhanced our capabilities but also ensures that the benefits of our work would reach those who need it the most.

However, executing this national data consortium comes with challenges. It needs champions in government and within health structures, pledging to this effort as a valuable investment for the future of cancer care in India. It also needs the support of patients and their families.

The success of the ICGA stands to impact 20% of humankind.

How You Can Help

To sustain and expand our efforts, we need the support of the community. This is where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding and donations play a crucial role. By contributing to the ICGA, companies and individuals can directly impact the fight against cancer. Your support will help us accelerate our research, improve patient care, and ultimately save lives.

Supporting the ICGA is a powerful way to contribute to the fight against cancer. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Donate: Your financial contributions will directly support ICGA study.
• Partner: Collaborate with us through your entities’ initiatives to drive meaningful impact.
• Participate: If you are a clinician, researcher or data scientist, collaborate with us to produce meaningful result out of this data. 
• Advocate: Help us spread the word about the ICGA and its mission to create a cancer-free future.

The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas is more than just a collaborative initiative; it is a beacon of hope for millions of cancer patients and their families. By understanding the genetic underpinnings of cancer, new personalized treatments can be developed that offer better outcomes and improved quality of life. But we cannot do it alone. 

Your support, whether through donations, partnerships, or advocacy, is vital to our mission. Together, we can change the course of cancer care in India and create a brighter, healthier future for all.

As we move forward towards our mission of cancer-free India, we are reminded of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” At ICGA, we are committed to serving those affected by cancer, and we invite you to join us on this journey.

Join Us at the ICGA Annual Meeting

As we continue our journey, we are excited to announce the upcoming ICGA Annual Meeting. This meeting will bring together leading oncologists, researchers, and policymakers to share the latest advancements in cancer genomics. It is an opportunity to learn about our progress, discuss future directions, and explore how we can work together to defeat cancer. 

About the Author

Dr Suveera Dhup is the Chief Operating Officer of the Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation and is dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes through genomic insights. With a background in biomedical science and a passion for making a difference, she is committed to driving ICGA’s mission forward.