IIT Madras launches first-of-its-kind cancer genome database
According to IIT Madras Director, V Kamakoti, despite having a high cancer incidence, India has been under-represented in global cancer genome studies.

IIT Madras launches first-of-its-kind cancer genome database
CHENNAI: In a groundbreaking initiative poised to transform the landscape of cancer research in India, the IIT-Madras on Monday launched the country's first-ever comprehensive cancer genome database, dubbed the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA).
According to IIT-Madras researchers, the aim is to provide a vital repository of genetic variants associated with various types of cancer prevalent in the country, thereby enabling the development of personalised treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
"The BCGA database, made publicly accessible at bcga.iitm.ac.in, contains anonymised summary data of genetic variants from Indian breast cancer samples, meticulously analysed and curated by a team of renowned researchers from IIT Madras, in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Mumbai, the Chennai Breast Clinic, and the Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai," a release from IIT-M read.
According to a recent report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the number of people living with cancer in India continues to rise, with one in nine likely to develop cancer in their lifetime.
"The National Cancer Registry Program reported a staggering 12.8% rise in cancer incidence every year since 2022, underscoring the need for innovative solutions. However, India has been underrepresented in global cancer genome studies," it said.
"The BCGA initiative seeks to address this shortfall by providing a comprehensive genomic architecture of cancers in India, enabling researchers and clinicians to develop targeted therapies and improve treatment outcomes," it added.
The research was led by IIT Madras's Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, which was funded by the Government of India's Institutions of Eminence initiative.
IIT-M director V Kamakoti emphasised the significance of the BCGA, stating, "This Atlas fills the gap in genomic landscape from different cancers in the country. It provides a compendium of genetic variants representing the contemporary Indian breast cancer population to classify variants involved in early diagnostics, disease progression, and treatment outcomes."
"The BCGA database is expected to enable early detection of breast cancers, identify novel drug targets, and develop personalised treatment strategies specific to the Indian population. Furthermore, it will provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of cancer progression and evolution, thereby facilitating the development of more effective treatment modalities," Kamakoti said.
"This database will also help identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population," said Professor S Mahalingam, project coordinator and head, Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, IIT-M.