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“Today’s research is tomorrow’s cure.”
– S. Krishnamurthi (advisor, Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar and doyen in the field of surgical oncology).
Every gain in survival, every reduction in side effects, and every new hope offered to families comes from decades of careful investigation and relentless inquiry. The complex field of cancer keeps evolving because of research. Research is carried out with the never-ending hope that somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. This curiosity of scientists, driven by courage and strewn with challenges, has shaped the scientific advances we see today, says Pandurangan Vijayanand, director of research, Cancer Institute (WIA).
The evolving landscape of research
Every cancer treatment that saves a life today, whether it is a precise beam of radiation, a novel surgery, or a life-extending drug, was made possible through decades of research. Some of it began in laboratories, where scientists uncovered the genetic, molecular, and cellular secrets of cancer. Equally important, much of it unfolded in hospitals, through clinical trials and patient-centred studies led by doctors, nurses, and multidisciplinary care teams. While scientists and physicians may work in different settings, they share a common goal: to improve patient outcomes.
Vijayalakshmi Ramshankar, professor and head, department of cancer biology and molecular diagnostics, emphasises thatcancer research is not a straight line from lab to clinic; it is a continuous, collaborative cycle in which laboratory discoveries inform clinical practice, and real-world observations at the bedside spark new questions in the lab.
Yet for the public, research can seem abstract or distant. It is often imagined as something done in sterile labs, far removed from everyday life. In truth, research is the invisible force that powers everything in modern cancer care, says Sabitha Ramanathan, professor and head, department of molecular oncology. Like invisible roots beneath the soil that nourish the whole tree, research nourishes the branches of innovation and discovery. It shapes how we diagnose, treat, prevent, and even talk about cancer.
From generalised care to precision oncology
Not long ago, cancer treatment followed a one-size-fits-all approach. Most patients received similar combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Today, we are firmly in the era of precision oncology, where treatments are tailored to the genetic and molecular makeup of each patient’s tumour, and this treatment plan has been vetted and approved after intense discussion at multidisciplinary meetings called tumour boards. Targeted therapies, for example, attack specific mutations that drive cancer growth while sparing healthy cells. Drugs like imatinib and trastuzumab have transformed outcomes in diseases such as chronic myeloid leukaemia and HER2-positive breast cancer.
These breakthroughs came from years of basic science, drug development, and clinical trials. Just as importantly, they were supported by data on how these treatments work across different populations and health systems, helping ensure that innovation benefits everyone, not just a few.
Safer, smarter delivery of treatment
One of the most remarkable developments in recent years is immunotherapy, a treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown dramatic results in cancers like skin and lung cancer, where survival has improved for the first time in decades. CAR-T cell therapy takes it a step further by genetically modifying a patient’s T cells to target their cancer directly. While currently used in certain types of blood cancer, research is underway to expand these therapies to more patients and cancer types.
Research has also changed how treatments are delivered. Surgery has become more precise with robotic assistance and minimally invasive techniques that reduce pain and shorten recovery times. In radiation oncology, newer technologies such as image-guided radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and proton beam therapy enable doctors to target tumors with exceptional accuracy. This means fewer complications, especially in children and in cancers located near sensitive organs like the brain or spinal cord.
India’s expanding role in research
India, with its vast and diverse population, is well positioned to make significant contributions to global cancer research. Increasingly, Indian institutions are leading clinical trials that reflect our realities, including affordability, infrastructure, and cultural factors. Efforts include repurposing inexpensive, off-patent drugs; evaluating shortened treatment courses; and generating real-world evidence from both urban and rural settings.
The Indian Paediatric Haematology Oncology Group (INPHOG) has developed and tested protocols suited explicitly to local children. National cancer registries now generate critical data that guide policies and help international partners better understand cancer trends in low- and middle-income countries.
Every screening guideline, every side effect averted, every treatment that improves survival began with a research question. Even in palliative care, the process of easing pain and supporting dignity at the end of life, has evolved through studies aimed at improving our approach.
Looking ahead
Despite all the progress, cancer remains a leading cause of death in India and worldwide. The burden is expected to grow. That makes continued research not just important, but critical. We need better prevention strategies, early detection, shorter and safer treatments, and solutions that work in real-world environments. Patients, caregivers, communities, and policymakers all play a crucial role. Participating in studies, advocating for research funding, donating to medical science, or simply asking doctors about the latest evidence — these actions collectively strengthen the ecosystem that advances cancer care.
As we look toward a future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), personalized medicine, and wearable health monitors, compassion and curiosity must continue to guide us. In a world where cancer affects nearly every family, investing in research is seeking the science that is truth, which is a moral imperative.
(Dr. Venkataraman Radhakrishnan is professor and head, department of medical oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA). venkymd@gmail.com)
Published – August 01, 2025 10:21 am IST
