Cancer treatment is changing around the world because doctors are beginning to look beyond what they can see under a microscope. They are now looking deep inside the DNA of cancer cells to understand what truly drives the disease. In India, an important step in this direction has been taken through the Indian Institute of Technology Madras along with Karkinos Healthcare with the launch of the Bharat Cancer Genome Grid (BCG2).
To understand why BCG2 matters, imagine this: every cancer is slightly different, even if two patients are diagnosed with the same type of cancer. These differences lie in the genetic code of the tumor. By studying this code through a method called Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), doctors can learn why a cancer behaves the way it does and, in many cases, which treatments might work better for that specific patient.
India already took a pioneering step by creating the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), a large collection of genomic data from Indian cancer patients. This atlas helps scientists understand how cancers in Indian patients may differ from those studied in Western populations. But having data is only the first step. The real challenge is helping doctors use this information in everyday patient care.
This is where BCG2 comes in.
BCG2 is designed to connect advanced genomic science directly with hospitals and oncologists. It creates a national network where clinicians, researchers, and genetic experts work together to interpret cancer genomes and translate them into meaningful treatment decisions. Through shared learning platforms, molecular tumor boards, and standardized interpretation frameworks, BCG2 helps doctors make sense of complex genetic reports and apply them responsibly in clinical practice.
In simple terms, BCG2 ensures that genomic discoveries do not remain confined to research labs but reach the patient’s bedside.
Another important aspect of BCG2 is that it builds expertise. Many clinicians may not yet be trained to interpret whole genome data. BCG2 provides guidance, education, and collaborative support so that doctors across India can confidently use genomics as part of cancer care.
This initiative is particularly important for India because the genetic makeup of Indian patients can be different from populations elsewhere in the world. Treatments and insights based only on foreign data may not always be ideal. BCG2 helps generate evidence that is relevant, local, and meaningful for Indian patients.
In essence, BCG2 is not just a research project. It is a bridge between cutting-edge science and real-world healthcare. It represents a future where cancer treatment in India becomes more personalized, precise, and informed by the patient’s own genetic information.
