INDIA’S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE CANCER DATA PORTAL

Source: FINANCIALEXPRESS

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Context

Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) launches the country's first Comprehensive Cancer Multi-Omics Data Portal.

Read about burden of cancer in India: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/burden-of-cancer-in-india

Read about status of NCDs in India: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/non-communicable-diseases-ncds-and-infectious-diseases-in-india

About the portal

This platform provides open access to detailed genomic, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, with clinical data integrated to aid the development of personalized cancer treatments tailored to Indian patients. Historically, cancer treatments in India have relied on Western datasets, but ICGA aims to create Indian-specific data, recognizing that cancers in Indian patients may differ significantly at the molecular level.

Features

• First Cancer Multi-Omics Data Portal in India: Holds a comprehensive set of genomic and proteomic data from the breast cancer patient. Has the initial 50 patient data from breast cancer up to this moment and plans to expand the same to reach 500 patients during next year.
• It is built upon the highly reputed global system, cBioPortal, making it possible to integrate with global cancer research efforts.
• PRIDE Guidelines under which this portal will utilize free-access technology to manage data ethically and responsibly by being accessible to researchers globally.
• Will provide personalized cancer treatment protocol necessary for the Indian population.
• Aligns with the Cancer Genome Atlas project in the US, focusing on genomics of cancer as the pathway for precision oncology.

About ICGA

ICGA is a major initiative aimed at mapping the genetic profiles of cancers prevalent across India, and therefore finds solutions towards an indigenous personalized drug development relevant to the Indian population. Launched in 2020-21 by the ICGA Foundation, which is a Section 8 not-for-profit company, this initiative is inherently a public-private-philanthropic partnership that unifies diverse stakeholders for collaborative engagement in cancer genomics research. ICGA is focussed primarily on improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in India by setting up an intensive, clinically correlated, multi-omics database specific for the cancer patients of India.

About Biotech-PRIDE

The Biotech-PRIDE (Promotion of Research and Innovation through Data Exchange) Guidelines, released by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in India, are designed to enhance the sharing and integration of biological data.

The guidelines aim to create a framework for connecting existing biological datasets and data centers with the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC), facilitating a comprehensive biological data ecosystem. The initiative will establish a national repository known as the Bio-Grid, which will serve as a centralized platform for biological knowledge, information, and data exchange. The guidelines will be executed through the IBDC, which will oversee the operation of the Bio-Grid and ensure adherence to the established standards.

READ ABOUT NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/non-communicable-diseases-ncds-and-infectious-diseases-in-india

Sources:FINANCIALEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION Q:Discuss the major challenges posed by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India. Analyze the government’s current initiatives to combat these and suggest measures for effective management and prevention of NCDs. (250 Words)