India initiates new cancer research

The Indian government in collaboration with the Centre for Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR) has undertaken a new project involving cancer genome research. The project involves many other private agencies like the Indian Institute of Science (IIS) and Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, Cancer centre of the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (Hyderabad), the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (Kolkata), and the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (Delhi). It is the first time when the government has involved private hospitals in this endeavour. The project will focus primarily on research on the cancers specific to the Indian situation. Cancers of the head and neck, gliomas and gall bladder cancer are most common in India and these cancers will be extensively investigated. Breast cancer, which is also becoming increasingly common, has not been included since a lot of research on it is already being done in the West. The basic research will be done in Bangalore and Hyderabad, while the other specialist centres will provide intellectual input whenever required. They will simultaneously be kept abreast of any developments in the project. The Dabur Research Foundation will provide industry support and will share the benefits in the event of any publications. Experts believe that such an endeavour would be extremely useful in getting more information about the cancers and thus strive towards searching for better cures.

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