New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI) A two-day international conclave in Delhi-NCR brought together Indian and global medical experts to discuss advances in blood cancer treatment, including genomic testing, CAR-T cell therapy, bone marrow transplantation and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
The conclave, HemeNext 2.0, was organised by Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram, on October 10 and 11 at The Westin in Sector 29, Gurugram, to explore ways to translate advances in blood science into more precise, accessible and affordable patient care.
Led by the Fortis Institute of Blood Disorders, the event featured three parallel scientific programmes covering adult and paediatric haematology, genomics, cellular therapies, transplantation, artificial intelligence and infectious diseases. It brought together more than 200 faculty members and 400 participants from India, the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore.
India recorded an estimated 14.6 lakh new cancer cases in 2022, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Cancer Registry Programme. Lymphoid leukaemia was the leading childhood cancer, accounting for around 29 per cent of cancers among boys and 24 per cent among girls aged zero to 14 years, highlighting the need for timely diagnosis and access to specialised treatment, the release said.
Dr Rahul Bhargava, principal director and chief of haematology, Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, and chairperson of the conclave, said the priority was to ensure that scientific advances reached patients in time and at an affordable cost.
The sessions examined next-generation sequencing, rapid genomic testing, multi-omics and measurable residual disease, which refers to small amounts of cancer that may remain during or after treatment. Discussions focused on how these tools could help refine diagnosis, assess disease risk and guide treatment decisions, while addressing concerns around testing costs, turnaround times and interpretation.
Dr Shrinidhi Nathany, Consultant in Molecular Haematology and Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, and organising secretary of HemeNext 2.0, said patients with the same broad diagnosis could have different disease characteristics and treatment requirements.
Genomic testing could help identify these differences, but its value depended on selecting appropriate tests and translating results into clinical decisions, she said.
The programme also explored CAR-T cell therapy, which involves modifying a patient’s immune cells to recognise and attack cancer cells, along with targeted treatments and bone marrow transplantation. Experts discussed patient selection, treatment timelines, safety monitoring and the infrastructure and costs affecting access to these therapies.
The paediatric programme covered leukaemia, inherited bone marrow failure, thalassaemia, sickle cell disease and transplantation, alongside survivorship, immune health, fertility preservation and the long-term effects of treatment.
Dr Vikas Dua, Principal Director and Head of Paediatric Haematology, Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, and chairperson of the conclave, said timely referrals, support to complete treatment and long-term follow-up were essential to improving outcomes for children with blood cancers and inherited disorders.
A dedicated infectious diseases programme addressed sepsis, fungal infections, antimicrobial resistance, viral infection prevention and immunisation, particularly for patients whose immunity is weakened by disease or treatment.
The conclave also featured sessions on artificial intelligence in diagnostics, genomics and research, including a case-based ‘AI vs Human’ debate examining the need for scientific validation, data safeguards and clinician oversight.
A start-up lounge aimed to connect clinicians with healthcare innovators, while scientific abstract presentations and an inter-institutional quiz for resident doctors, called The Heme Arena, provided platforms for research exchange and emerging medical professionals.
The event sought to bring global research and Indian clinical experience together to improve access to advances in blood cancer care. PTI SGV SGV AMJ
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