HealthCare Global Enterprises’ molecular science lab Triesta Sciences has partnered with Strand Life Sciences to make a paradigm shift in cancer prevention, diagnostics and targeted therapy protocols.  The new standard of cancer care is seen to bring in higher affordability and better decision making for oncology physicians.

The newly formed Strand-Triesta Centre for Cancer Genomics is now offering three tests. These are the Strand Somatic 48 gene test, Strand Germline test which is a saliva-based scan to assess cancer risk factors and the Strand Somatic & Germline test to guide the course of treatment.

HCG has now led the way by adopting the Strand-Triesta advanced cancer  diagnostics which defines the future of cancer care. The partnership of the two companies is also seen to have pioneered a new generation in clinical diagnostics globally.

At least 33 per cent of the cancer patients in India  do not respond to any form treatment and therefore the genomics tests would be far more cost-effective as it allows oncologists to pick patients for chemotherapy and radiation, said Dr. BS Ajai Kumar, founder and chairman, HCG.

“We will incorporate genomic testing at all our hospitals and this could be accessed by other onco-care centres too as it diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. The partnership will enhance the work done by the multidisciplinary teams of oncologist and researchers,” he added.

The cost of genomic diagnostics is estimated to be between Rs. 15,000 and 45,000. But the  big advantage is the early detection and assessment of whether expensive treatment needs to be pursued. However, it is seen that at least one-third of the one million patients can benefit from genomic tests, said Dr. Ajai Kumar.

Through genomic testing, we are looking to build a solution for  India which revolves around affordability and scalability which is unprecedented even in the West, stated Dr. Vijay Chandru, chairman and chief executive officer, Strand Life Sciences.

HCG has a cancer registry and with genomics it will dramatically accelerate diagnostic precision in cancer, added Dr. Chandru.

Indian annual cancer incidence is around one million cancer with a  mortality of five lakh patients. By 2015, cancer cases would see a five-fold rise and increase the healthcare burden. The advanced standard of care is designed to achieve new frontiers in medicine through a bench-to-bedside vision.

“Cancer tumour sequencing is the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and thorough analysis of patient DNA variations will help physicians go beyond one- drug for all and provide personalised medicine approach. It would significantly enhance not just the chemo-radiation outcomes but also detect hereditary risks in family members of cancer patients allowing faster, early stage diagnosis,” said Dr. Chandru.