IIT Madras Launches Public Cancer Genome Database

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has released a new genome database that focuses on paediatric leukaemia, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Called the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), the database is now publicly available for researchers and doctors in India and around the world at bcga.iitm.ac.in.

Cancer is a growing health challenge in India. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, one in nine Indians is likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. Currently, about 2.5 million people in the country are living with the disease, and new cases have been increasing by 12.8% each year since 2022. Despite these numbers, Indian patients have been under-represented in global cancer genome studies.

To address this gap, IIT Madras launched the Indian Cancer Genome Programme in 2020. The program completed whole genome sequencing of cancer patient samples collected from across India. The project received major support from Hyundai Motor India’s Hyundai Hope for Cancer initiative, which provided ₹56 crore in funding. An additional ₹3 crore was allocated to support treatment for families with limited financial resources.

By making the BCGA database publicly accessible, IIT Madras aims to help doctors, researchers, and scientists study cancer more effectively and develop better treatments. The project also hopes to ensure that Indian patients are better represented in global cancer research, which could lead to more personalized and effective healthcare solutions in the future.