Cancer treatment is moving toward a more precise understanding of each tumour’s biology. India is building genomic and molecular-diagnostic infrastructure that could make biomarker-guided care more widely available.
The Future of Cancer Treatment Is Becoming More Personal
Why the biology of a tumour increasingly matters
When we think about the future of cancer treatment, we often focus on new medicines, immunotherapy or artificial intelligence. But one of the most important changes is more fundamental: recognizing that every cancer is not biologically identical, even when it carries the same diagnosis.
Two people may both have lung cancer, yet the molecular features of their tumours can differ. Those differences may influence whether a targeted treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or another approach is considered.
What Is Precision Oncology?
Moving from the cancer’s name to its individual characteristics
Precision oncology uses information about the molecular and genetic features of a cancer to help guide treatment decisions.
Instead of asking only, “What type of cancer is this?”, clinicians can increasingly ask, “What specific features does this cancer have, and do they change the treatment we should consider?”
GenomeIndia
Building an Indian genomic reference
The GenomeIndia Project, supported by the Department of Biotechnology, has completed whole-genome sequencing of more than 10,000 Indians from diverse population groups.
25 DIAMOnDS Centres
Expanding molecular oncology diagnostics
A March 2026 government update reported 25 DIAMOnDS centres supporting advanced molecular diagnostics and biomarker-based treatment, particularly for lung and breast cancers.
2026–27 Targets
Testing and treatment goals
The Department of Health Research set targets to test 3,500 patients for breast and lung cancer biomarkers and enable 500 patients to receive precise biomarker-based treatment.
Why Genomic Data Matters for India
Representation can improve the relevance of future diagnostics
Much of the genomic information historically used in medicine has come from populations outside India. A stronger Indian genomic reference can help researchers better understand population-specific genetic variation.
Over time, this may support more relevant genomic research, improve interpretation of test results and strengthen the evidence base for molecular diagnostics.
Personalized Care Will Still Use Multiple Treatment Types
Precision does not mean replacing established cancer treatments
Targeted therapies and newer treatments such as antibody-drug conjugates are part of this evolution. But precision oncology does not mean chemotherapy, surgery or radiation will disappear.
The more likely future is a smarter combination of treatments, selected according to the cancer’s biology, stage, patient condition and available clinical evidence.
The Biggest Challenge Is Access
Personalized care must move beyond a few major centres
For India, the key challenge is not only scientific progress but access. Precision oncology cannot remain limited to patients who can afford expensive testing or travel to a small number of major cities.
Advanced diagnostics, trained specialists, research networks and effective treatments need to become more widely accessible. The future of cancer care is not simply about discovering more drugs. It is about understanding each cancer better before deciding how to treat it — and making that understanding available to more patients.
India is still some distance from truly personalized treatment for every patient, but important foundations are being built today.