The team has developed AI-driven, big-data algorithms to dissect massive single-cell genomics datasets.
IIIT-Delhi’s AI Blood Test Research Detects Early-Stage Cancer, Shows Promise
Researchers at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Delhi, have developed advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of detecting cancer in its earliest stages using a simple blood test. This is a major breakthrough that could redefine cancer diagnosis and treatment in India. The research was led by Professor Debarka Sengupta, who is the head of Computational Biology and Computer Science at IIIT-Delhi. It promises an affordable and scalable solution geared toward early detection even in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Prof. Sengupta explained that his team has created a pan-cancer blood test that leverages AI to read cancer-induced changes in platelets whose molecular profiles alter in the presence of cancer. According to him, these changes carry detectable signals even in Stage I and II cancers, enabling accurate identification of multiple cancer types from a small blood sample without the need for high-end equipment or specialised expertise.
At the core of this innovation are the concepts of tumour-educated platelets (TEPs), which harbour molecular information modified by the presence of tumours. By applying machine learning algorithms to analyse these signals, the test offers a cost-effective and less invasive alternative to conventional diagnostic procedures, which are often expensive and require complex imaging or tissue biopsies.
Beyond early detection, Prof. Sengupta’s lab is advancing the frontiers of single-cell genomics to address a fundamental challenge in oncology: understanding how cancers survive treatment and relapse. The team has developed AI-driven, big-data algorithms to dissect massive single-cell genomics datasets, decoding how different cancer cell and immune cell subtypes interact within tumours. Their innovative “cell algebra” approach enables virtual modelling of cell compositions to pinpoint the most lethal cancer cells and improve therapeutic prioritisation.
The research further extends to AI-based prediction of patient-specific drug responses by integrating genomic information with chemical, imaging, and clinical data, laying the groundwork for more personalised cancer therapies.
According to Prof. Sengupta, India’s vast patient population, affordable high-throughput sequencing, rich biobanks, and digitised clinical records position the country to lead a new era in precision oncology. He highlighted ongoing efforts at GeneSilico to build generative AI models that unify multi-omics, imaging, and clinical data to transform cancer treatment in collaboration with high-volume Indian hospitals.
These advances place IIIT-Delhi at the forefront of AI-driven cancer research, with the potential to bring early detection and personalised treatment within reach of millions across India and beyond.
Source: The Tribune
