Context:
At the forefront of medical innovation, researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered model named iOncology AI Project, integrated with a supercomputer, to aid oncologists in making informed decisions regarding cancer treatment.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Highlights of the iOncology AI Project: Revolutionizing Cancer Care
- Global Cancer Scenario: Understanding the Complexity
Key Highlights of the iOncology AI Project: Revolutionizing Cancer Care
- The iOncology AI project is a collaborative initiative involving AIIMS in Delhi, Pune’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
- Aiming to revolutionize cancer care, the project combines expertise in medical research and computational science.
Objectives:
- Leverage AI to enhance precision and efficacy in cancer treatment by analyzing extensive datasets encompassing genetic profiles, clinical histories, and treatment outcomes.
Working Procedure:
- Developed with C-DAC, the platform stores and analyzes diverse cancer-related data, including blood tests, lab reports, scans, and patient histories.
- Utilizes advanced algorithms to assist doctors in making treatment decisions based on comprehensive genomic data analysis, providing personalized treatment plans.
- Enhances clinical decision-making by automatically flagging abnormalities in scans and reports.
Focus on Breast and Ovarian Cancers:
- Initial application of iOncology.ai focuses on early detection of breast and ovarian cancers, prevalent among women in India.
Impacts:
- Improves cancer patient outcomes and quality of life through early detection and personalized treatment.
- Reduces the burden and cost of cancer care by enhancing healthcare professionals’ efficiency and optimizing resource use.
- Contributes valuable insights and data for cancer research and innovation, fostering further analysis and development.
Global Cancer Scenario: Understanding the Complexity
- Cancer is a complex group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.
- Cancer cells, with their unregulated growth, have the capacity to invade and destroy healthy tissues and organs.
Cell Cycle Disruption:
- In a healthy body, cells follow a regulated cycle of growth, division, and death.
- Genetic mutations in cancer disrupt this normal cell cycle, leading to uncontrolled growth and potentially forming tumours.
Global Cancer Statistics:
- According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimates for 2020, there were 19.3 million incident cancer cases worldwide.
- India ranked third globally in the number of cancer cases after China and the United States.
Cancer Projections in India:
- A Lancet study predicts a 57.5% increase in cancer cases in India by 2040, reaching 2.08 million.
- In 2022, over 8 lakh deaths in India were attributed to cancer, primarily due to late detection, resulting in a low 20% survival rate.
Challenges and Impact:
- Late detection poses a significant challenge in cancer management globally, affecting survival rates.
- Understanding the global cancer scenario is crucial for implementing effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.
-Source: The Hindu
