The Ministry of Science & Technology has inaugurated the 2nd Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) 2020 Conference.
Key takeaways
TCGA is a landmark project started in 2005 by the US-based National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
The idea was to make a catalogue of the genetic mutations that cause cancer.
Tumour samples and blood samples were collected from patients.
They were processed using gene sequencing and bioinformatics.
The TCGA has generated over 2.5 petabytes of data for over 11,000 patients.
The data has been used to develop new approaches to diagnose, treat and prevent cancer.
Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) has also been initiated in India by a consortium of key stakeholders led by CSIR in which several government agencies, cancer hospitals, academic institutions and private sector partners.
Aim: To improve clinical outcomes in cancer and other chronic diseases.
Do you know?
According to the World Cancer Report by the WHO, one in 10 Indians develops cancer during their lifetime and one in 15 dies of the disease.
