Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh Noida organized the 41st Annual International Conference of the Indian Association for Cancer Research (IACR), IACR-2022, from 02nd to 05th March, 2022, in Hybrid Mode.
The Conference aimed to create an awareness regarding the rising number of cancer cases, its prevention and the role of individuals, governments, partners and societies through combined effort by adopting a multi-sectoral approach to achieve uninterrupted access to affordable, safe and effective cancer therapies in order to overcome the fatal disease.
Speaking during the Technical Session, Dr. G. K. Rath, AIIMS, New Delhi, stated, “In the Indian scenario, expensive treatments, urgent need for technology, innovation for early detection and cost-effective management, have been identified as the most difficult challenges. Research is the only answer to these challenges and the good news is that 50% of the cases are preventable if diagnosed at an early stage, again research being the focus here. In the South NE region, including Mizoram and Sikkim, stomach cancer is more common while Gall Bladder cancer is found to be more prevalent in the North NE region. Oesophagus cancer is found more in North Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and Punjab in the North. There are mainly small wooden houses and since they have a fireplace to keep themselves warm, smoke emanating from the firewood leads to the activation of cancer cells, thereby having more number of cancer cases in the North East region. Whereas, Thyroid Cancer is more common in the states of Kerala and Karnataka. Every year 15 lakh new patients are diagnosed with cancer in India and at any given time, there are about 45 lakh patients in India.”
Emphasizing on the need to improve infrastructural facilities, he further elaborated, “There is only one teletherapy machine per million people in India, as compared to 4 machines per million people in the West. Therefore, there is an urgent need for technology and innovation for early detection and cost-effective management.”
Citing the example of Kerala, where 6 women per 100000, suffer from cervix cancer because they are not vaccinated, Prof. Neeta Singh (Prof. M. G. Deo Oration Lecture), Ex Prof & HOD Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, New Delhi, stated, “The Government has initiated the vaccination drive for young girls, between the age group of 9-22 years, in the country, but families, especially, girls are not coming forward to get vaccinated.”
Inaugurating the Conference, Keynote Speaker, Prof. Dr. Robert A. Weinberg, Daniel K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research Whitehead Institute, MIT, USA, stated, “Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Even though much progress has been achieved in medicine, there are still many issues that must be addressed in order to improve cancer therapy.” Highlighting the common challenges across the world, i.e., lack of awareness and education, limited access to primary prevention and early detection services coupled with delays in diagnosis and effective treatment, limited access to palliative care and pain relief.” He suggested the researchers to understand the root cause of cancer, as advanced treatment is possible only if we know the root cause.
Addressing the gathering, Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Partha P. Majumder, National Science Chair and Founder, NIBMG, Kalyani, Kolkata, averred, “Cancer has become the most serious disease in India because of various environmental exposures and bad lifestyle habits. Fortunately, smoking has considerable reduced in India but chewing tobacco is still very common, especially in the rural areas which leads to oral cancer. Oral cancer, Gall Bladder Cancer and Cervical Cancer are highly prevalent in India and though there are vaccines for cervical cancer but for other cancers, vaccines still need to be developed. 50% of cancers can be reduced by controlling the environment while the remaining 50% need to be researched on, through translational approach, particularly by the identification of proper precision management and therapy.”
Highlighting the importance of Research and Innovation, Dr Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Education Group, averred, “Research and innovation have been extremely important for us at Amity and we are certain that this conference would definitely lead to a tremendous outcome in the field of cancer research. If the scientists have an optimistic approach, we can surely win over cancer, together with the synergies of brains, contact and outcome. We must look for creating new opportunities via innovative determinations. With excellent organizations like the IACR which is carrying out phenomenal research in this field, India’s fight against cancer will definitely lead to victory. Also, Ayurvedic products and therapies can be of great help in cancer research, in addition to the modern medicine.”
Sharing his views on the occasion, Dr. Atul Chauhan, Chancellor, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, stated, “What we contribute to the field of science and humanity is of extreme significance to all mankind. While we all know the importance of research in the field of cancer, it is alarming to hear the statistics of the disease spreading rapidly in our country. In spite of accomplished scientists working in this field, we still have a long way to go before we can completely eradicate cancer from the world. We have complete faith and confidence in the researchers and young scientists of the world and are certain that we will achieve what may look unfathomable. I would like to congratulate the Indian Association for Cancer Research for their commendable work, at the grass root level and for developing an interest in the minds of young researchers and students to enter the field of cancer research. We must work together to nurture young human beings, and to bring together the greatest scientist from around the world, in order to fight the disease and make the world a better place to live in.”
During the Welcome Address at the Inaugural Session, Prof. Dr. Bhudev C. Das, Chairman, AIMMSCR, Dean, Health and Allied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, stated, “Cancer has now taken over the cardio vascular diseases and has become the number one disease in developing countries like India. In another two decades, India will become the cancer capital of the world. Therefore, there is a dire need for extensive research in this field and find innovative solutions to this grave problem. Despite huge advancements in diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the five-year survival rate is still very low around the globe. Moreover, resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs/radiation therapy often leading to cancer recurrence and relapse is a major global challenge that the whole world is facing.”
During a Special Convocation, Prof. (Dr.) Robert A. Weinberg, Daniel K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research Whitehead Institute, MIT, USA, who has discovered Ras oncogene and Rb tumor suppressor gene and Prof. Matthew L. Meyerson, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA were conferred upon Hony. Doctorates, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments and research contributions.
In addition, three Public Lectures by Prof. N.K. Ganguly, former DG, ICMR, Prof. Lalit Kumar, Director of National Cancer Institute and Dr. Sandeep Kumar, former Professor of Surgery, K.G. Medical University and former Director of AIIMS, Bhopal, will conducted for the students as well as for the public at large. Apart from this, sessions on “Women in cancer Research” and “Treatment and Ethics in Research and Experience of Cancer Survivors”, will be the other highlights of the conference. Technical sessions on various topics such as “Latest Trends in Cancer Research”, “Emerging Cancer Biomarkers & Therapeutics”, “Omics & Artificial Intelligence”, “3B Neuro-oncology” and “3C Cancer Biomarker”, amongst others, will be also conducted during the four-day conference.