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Every year, countless lives are upended by a cancer diagnosis. Cancer remains a formidable foe that affects millions of lives and families worldwide. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), in 2022, India recorded 1.41 million new cancer cases, placing it third globally after China and the United States of America. GLOBOCAN predicted that this number is expected to rise to 2.45 million, a staggering 73.8 per cent increase. Approximately one in ten people in India is expected to face a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime.
Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease, driven by alterations in the genome. Most tumors harbor structural genomic alterations that may determine the clinical course of the disease as well as response to treatment. Understanding the nature and importance of these genomic alterations has been the goal of cancer researchers for years. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) explores these genetic alterations, providing an in-depth understanding of the genetic underpinnings of cancer by analysing DNA, RNA mutations, and other pan-cancer biomarkers. This advanced tool can detect specific and rare genetic mutations that traditional methods might overlook, leading to more precise and accurate diagnoses. As such, CGP represents a significant leap forward in the early detection and characterisation of various cancer types, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatment strategies.
Precision medicine tailors medical treatment to each patient's unique genomic, a crucial advancement for Indian oncology. By mapping out the unique genomic profile of a patient's cancer, CGP enables oncologists to develop customised therapeutic strategies. These strategies are specifically designed to target the genetic abnormalities driving the cancer, ensuring that treatment plans are as effective with fewer side effects as possible for each patient.
The benefits of individualised treatment plans facilitated by CGP are profound. Patients receive therapies more likely to be effective against their specific type of cancer, significantly improving survival rates and prognoses. This personalised approach minimises the reliance on a trial-and-error method, where patients might otherwise be subjected to treatments with low probabilities of success. Instead, CGP allows for a more scientific and precise method of selecting therapies, reducing unnecessary side effects, and improving patients' overall quality of life.
The transformative impact of CGP on cancer patient management cannot be overstated. By providing a detailed genomic landscape of cancer, CGP has the potential to revolutionise how we approach cancer treatment, leading to more effective and personalised care.
Despite its clear advantages, in India, the adoption of CGP faces hurdles such as high costs and limited geographic accessibility. Furthermore, gaps in education and awareness among healthcare providers and patients can hinder the integration of CGP into standard cancer care practices. Enhancing education and awareness among healthcare providers and patients is crucial. By investing in infrastructure and training, we can overcome these barriers and integrate CGP into routine cancer care.
Comprehensive Genomic Profiling is a game-changer in the fight against cancer, offering unprecedented insights into the genetic drivers of the disease. By enabling personalised medicine and individualised treatment plans, CGP holds the promise of significantly improving patient outcomes. Addressing accessibility and investing in education and infrastructure are crucial to making CGP a standard part of cancer care in India, providing a new hope for patients and their families.
The author is Illumina Head of Medical Affairs Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa
