Hope For Childhood Cancer: IIT Madras And Hyundai Motors Team Up For Genomic Research

Every four minutes, three children are diagnosed with cancer globally. With traditional diagnostics like biopsies often failing on complex tumors, just 20% survive.

In India too, the situation is dismal, as childhood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, and bone cancer are a significant health issue, with an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 new cases annually. Survival rates also remain lower than in Western countries due to issues such as late diagnosis, treatment abandonment, and lack of accessible care.

Now, there’s a ray of hope. Aiming to bolster India’s battle against childhood cancer, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in collaboration with automobile giant Hyundai Motors, has launched the nation’s first community-focused Cancer Tissue Biobank on its campus.

This facility, the ‘Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics,’ was recently inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The goal is to fast-track research on paediatric cancers, concentrating on early diagnosis, genomic sequencing, and tailored treatment plans.

The initiative holds importance given that various research studies suggest that using whole genome sequencing in addition to standard cancer tests can provide valuable information, especially for childhood cancers.

The Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics initiative is part of the ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’ programme, a comprehensive effort driven by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) in partnership with IIT Madras. The project includes a social impact investment of Rs 56 crore, aimed not only at cutting-edge research but also at expanding access to quality healthcare for underprivileged children.

The biobank will facilitate the creation of a national database for paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma and act as a collaborative hub for clinicians, researchers, and public health professionals dedicated to improving childhood cancer outcomes across India.

In simple words, this will pave the way for personalised treatment approaches, marking a major advancement in paediatric oncology, where conventional therapies often fall short in rare and complicated cases.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, explained, “The collaborative centre is poised to become a national hub for cutting-edge cancer research. It will accelerate breakthroughs in diagnostics and therapeutics, especially for paediatric cases, which remain underserved in the broader oncology ecosystem.”

The centre will also work closely with international organisations such as the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Underscoring the need for early detection and treatment, Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Ltd., stated, “This initiative is not only about technology, but about giving children the gift of time and a future.”

As part of HMIF’s extensive outreach, over 225 cancer awareness and screening camps are planned across Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Maharashtra over the next four years. The programme aims to screen more than 1.27 lakh individuals and vaccinate over 5,000 adolescent girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a major cause of cervical cancer.

The initiative also includes collecting and sequencing genomic data from over 1,600 cancer tissue samples, providing free treatment support to 30–50 children from disadvantaged backgrounds, training more than 100 technicians in genomic technologies, and deploying mobile medical units to improve healthcare access in rural and underserved areas, according to a Hyundai official.

Gopalakrishnan C. S., Trustee of HMIF, added, “Beyond treatment, the centre will serve as a platform for public health education, capacity building, and scientific collaboration to tackle the childhood cancer burden holistically.”

Under the Rs 3 crore Cancer Care Fund, diagnostic, medication, and follow-up treatment costs for paediatric cancer patients from economically weaker sections have been covered.

The inauguration was attended by Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways Harsh Malhotra, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai, and other key representatives from Hyundai, IIT Madras, and the medical research community.

Meanwhile, appreciating the initiative, Dr. Vikas Dua, Principal Director and Head, Pediatric Hematology Oncology and BMT Dept. at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, emphasized the transformative role of genomic sequencing in diagnosing and treating childhood cancers. This advanced technology is rapidly changing the landscape of pediatric oncology, offering new hope for young patients and their families, he said.

“Genomic sequencing is revolutionizing the way childhood cancers are diagnosed and treated. Unlike traditional diagnostic methods, sequencing allows us to look deeply into the DNA of both tumor cells and inherited germline DNA, uncovering genetic changes that drive cancer development. Techniques such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) have enabled a comprehensive approach, often revealing alterations that would otherwise remain undetected,” explained Dr. Dua.

While challenges such as cost, access, and interpretation remain, genomic sequencing is undeniably shaping the future of pediatric oncology by offering hope for improved survival and quality of life, said the hematologist-oncologist. Having this information allows clinicians and families to take preventative measures, such as regular screening or tests.

According to Dr. Dua, challenges in India include poor awareness of early symptoms, geographical barriers to accessing care, a shortage of specialized facilities, and financial constraints, despite improvements in treatment infrastructure.