The Biocon Foundation, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative with the AI-Centre of Excellence in Oral Cancer Projects. This multicentric study, led by Biocon Foundation during phase 1, collaborates with 28 consortium partners, with IISc serving as the central hub.
The project focuses on developing an innovative algorithm for the oral cancer screening tool, Aarogya Aarohan. This initiative highlights the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. The objective is to create an AI-assisted, mobile phone-based white light imaging system to classify oral lesions into high-risk or low-risk categories for oral cancer. The anticipated outcomes include the creation of an open-source, class B certified screening tool with reliable sensitivity and specificity, suitable for deployment in Health and Wellness Centres. The goal is to equip healthcare workers with tools for high-quality care and develop compact models operable on low-cost smartphones, facilitating scalable point-of-care screening in low-resource settings, including areas with limited connectivity. The system will also be applicable in tertiary care centres.
Biocon Foundation’s flagship Oral Cancer Control Programme (OCCP) has been active for nearly a decade, aiming to detect oral cancer early in underserved communities. Since its launch, the OCCP has screened over 85,000 individuals across India, identifying 13% with potentially malignant oral disorders (OPMDs).
The recent fifth edition of the Oral Cancer Task Force (OCTF) Conference, held on World Head & Neck Cancer Day, focused on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Oral Cancer.’ The conference brought together clinicians and scientists to discuss advancements in early detection of oral cancer.
Key figures such as Dr. GK Rath, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Member; Dr. Vijay Chandru, Strand Life Sciences; Dr. Praveen Birur, Vice Principal of KLESIDS and Lead of the Oral Cancer Programme at Biocon Foundation; Dr. K. Govind Babu, Medical Oncologist at HCG Cancer Centre; Prof. Rajesh Sundaresan, Principal Investigator of AI-CoE; Prof. Debnath Pal, Principal Investigator of the MIDAS project; and Dr. Anupama Shetty, Mission Director at Biocon Foundation, contributed valuable insights. Dr. Kumar Prabhash, Medical Oncologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose, Co-founder, MD & CEO of Karkinos Healthcare, participated virtually.
Dr. Anupama Shetty stated, “The annual Oral Cancer Task Force conference is a vital platform for collaborative action. This year, hosting the 5th edition at the Indian Institute of Science, with a focus on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Oral Cancer,’ was a significant milestone.”
Prof. Debnath Pal, Computational Biologist at IISc and a leading investigator in the AI in Oral Cancer project, remarked, “AI has the potential to create an enabling ecosystem for addressing various healthcare and medical challenges when approached with high-quality data, innovative algorithms, and well-structured trials.”
Prof. Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean of the Division of EECS at IISc, commented, “The AI-CoE initiative is well-positioned to help healthcare professionals address one of India’s most pressing public health issues. Our efforts aim to leverage technology to reduce the burden of oral cancer. The two-day event fostered enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and reinforced the AI-CoE initiative.”
Dr. GK Rath added, “Technological integration has historically led to significant medical advancements. AI is a crucial tool we must harness effectively to tackle the high incidence of oral cancer.”