NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTEAIIMS, NEW DELHI (JHAJJAR CAMPUS)

BACKGROUND

Cancer Burden in India

• Approx. 28 lakh cancer patients at any given point of time

• About 11 lakh new cases occur every year

• Nearly 5 lakh patients die due to the cancer each year

• Recent technological advances in genomics and the molecular sciences have opened new vistas to accelerate knowledge about the genetic and environmental components of cancer initiation promotion and progression through studies in molecular epidemiology.

• However, many unanswered questions still remain in the quest to conquer this deadly disease

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTEAIIMS – NEW DELHI

• Apex cancer hospital and translational research facility

• Located at Jhajjar Campus of AIIMS, New Delhi

• Spread over 31.2 acre site within the 300 acre campus

• Project Cost : Rs. 2035 Crores

• Total Beds: 710

• 200 clinical beds • 400 research beds• 110 ICU beds

• Project approved by Union Cabinet on 26th December 2013

• Expected Commissioning : October 2017

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE(NCI)

• NCI will be the premier institute of cancer, identify priority areas for Research & Development and related areas, will carry out basic and applied research in molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, cancer epidemiology, radiation biology, cancer vaccines etc.

• NCI will evolve model cancer control strategies which will include newer modalities of prevention, early diagnosis and therapy.

• It will also act as a center for development of human resource in various branches of cancer management depending on the needs of our country.

• Urgent need to understand the various causes specific to our country, example- lifestyle, hygiene, tobacco, food habits, genetics etc

• Improvements in management of various cancers like Cervix and Head and Neck would have to be developed within India as they have ceased to be important for developed nations.

• Results of treatment in advanced stages of most malignancies continues to be dismal, and there is an ever increasing need to improve upon these.

Why it is important have a center for cancer research

AIMS

• To plan, conduct and co-ordinate cancer related research for understanding, detecting, diagnosing and treating cancer.

• Translate this knowledge to develop feasible strategies to improve cancer care services and the quality of life of patients.

OBJECTIVES• To act as the principal agency of the country for

promoting, coordinating and conducting innovative research and the development of novel interventions to prevent and treat cancer.

Emphasis on Need Based Research.

• To carry out translational research and incorporate newly developed techniques in cancer therapy into clinical practice.

• To undertake clinical trials of newer drugs as well as vaccines to treat and improve the existing outcomes of therapy on survival and quality of life of patients.

• To facilitate the development of affordable medicines and equipments.

OBJECTIVES

• Set standards for cancer treatment and to evolve, update and disseminate evidence based guidelines to promote uniform patient care across the country.

• Develop and support training programs and generate trained human resources in all areas of cancer.

• Support and co-ordinate quality cancer research in Regional Cancer Centers, other governmental and non governmental agencies.

• Improve and harmonize standardized protocols, quality of treatment, research and education in cancer across the country.

OBJECTIVES

• To create international linkages with major cancer centers for exchanging cancer related information.

• To establish a collaborative network with voluntary cancer organizations.

• To create and disseminate credible databases of cancer incidence, epidemiology, treatment, mortality etc.

• To translate the knowledge to evolve National Cancer Control Policies and Programs to improve the quality of services and quality of life of cancer patients.

PROPOSED FACILITIES• Clinical Division

• Research Division

• Disease Management Group

• Other Facilities

A CLINICAL DIVISIONS:

1.Surgical Oncology

2.Radiation Oncology

3.Medical Oncology

4.Radiology

5.Nuclear Medicine

6.Tumor Patho-biology

7.Lab medicine

8.Anesthesiology and Hospice

9. Preventive Oncology

10.Medical Physics

11.Hospital

administration

12.Psycho-oncology

13.Palliative care &

Hospice

14.Blood bank

15.Emergency

16. Physiotherapy

&Occupational Therapy

B RESEARCH DIVISIONS:

1.Bioethics & Bio-safety Division2.Cancer Epidemiology 3.Molecular Oncology4.Cancer Genomics &

Proteomics5.Cancer Vaccine &

Immunotherapy 6.Drug designing & Drug

development7.Development of Medical tools

& Diagnostics 8.Pharmaco-genonics & Drug

Discovery

9.Occupational Cancer Research

10.Radiobiology & Radiation Research

11.Human Resource Development in oncology

12.Translational Research 13. Biostatistics &

Bioinformatics14. Animal House15. Tissue repository

NATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS• NCI has entered into MoU’s with:

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India

and

• Institute of Cytology Preventive Oncology (ICPO), an autonomous institute under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India

SALIENT POINTS:MOU WITH DBT & ICPO• Identify areas of research: immediate, medium and long-

term planning• Evolve consensus mechanism to harmonize administrative

and financial processes and approvals • Scientific Research collaborations in the area of Cancer

Biology to promote development of new affordable technologies, introduction of the available technologies in the system and provide support for diffusion of the technologies into the social system.

• Co-design and Co-develop research labs / facilities at National Cancer Institute (NCI) located at AIIMS-Jhajjar campus, for the purpose of Cancer Prevention/Research 

• Training of man-power  by offering joint fellowships, trainings, etc.

• Co-creating a state-of-the art Bio-bank with well annotated specimens

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS• As a prelude to forging international collaborations in the

field of cancer research, a provocative question workshop was organized in AIIMS, New Delhi on 29th October 2014 under the aegis of DBT & NCI-USA

• The workshop focused on the importance of international collaborations in medical research and aimed at highlighting important areas of cancer research that are understudied or forgotten

• The workshop was moderated by Prof E D Harlow, Ludwig Professor of Cancer Research and Teaching, Harvard Medical School and senior advisor to the Director, NCI and was attended by delegates from NCI-USA, NIH-USA, AIIMS, DBT, ICPO, etc.

PROVOCATIVE QUESTION WORKSHOP:KEY DELIBERATIONS• Priority areas for Prospective Collaboration

• Research Perspectives in India-Centric Cancers

• Breast Cancer• Tobacco-related Cancers• Carcinoma Gall Bladder• Hematological malignancies• Carcinoma Lung• Carcinoma Cervix

• Changing Paradigms of Indian Perspective on International Collaboration

• US Perspective on Collaboration in Medical Research with India

INDO-US COLLABORATION IN CANCER RESEARCH• Prof Harold Varmus, Director of National Cancer Institute,

USA met Hon'ble Prime Minister of India during his visit to USA in September 2014, wherein it was decided to develop collaborative programmes for and with the National Cancer Institute of AIIMS, New Delhi and to initiate cooperative activities in cancer research

• This was also reflected in the joint statement issued on 30th September 2014 upon the conclusion of meeting between Prime Minister and President Obama

PROPOSED INDO-US COLLABORATION IN CANCER RESEARCH The main areas of cooperation proposed in the MoU between NCI(USA)-DBT-AIIMS are as follows:

• Development of a common set of health interventions which are scalable across economies, regions and population groups

• Development of common models in the areas of basic research, pre-clinical model development, clinical research and oncology care delivery

• Development of common controlled resources for basic research, clinical research and oncology care delivery

• Organization of joint conferences, symposia, or other scientific meetings of mutual interest

• Application of Nano-technology in Cancer Management

It is proposed to have the formal signing of the said MoU during the visit of President Obama to India in January 2015

COLLABORATION WITH OHSL- AREAS OF INTEREST

• Translational Research in India-Centric Cancers

• Co-design and co-develop state of the art facilities like bio-bank, labs, etc. at National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar

• Exchange visits to impart training and orientation the AIIMS Faculty and Scientists in newer procedues and protocols which can be established at NCI-AIIMS

• Organization of joint conferences, symposia, or other scientific meetings of mutual interest

PROPOSED BY OHSL• Cancer Prevention

• Use of traditional medicines for cancer control

• Use of complementary methodology such as yoga for patient care

• Drug discovery - India specific cancers

• Natural sources - traditional medicines• Ayurvedic medicines - scientific underpinning• Synthetics - Approved drugs – repurpose• Radiation sensitizers• Pre-clinical research - evaluation of agents in HTS (high

throughput screening)• In vitro and in vivo models for efficacy testing• First in human studies

• Drug development

• Facility for making Phase I clinical product• Phase I clinical research

DISCUSSION …