Joint Cancer Research and Education Program
Advancing Cancer Care Through Global Partnerships
In partnership with Columbia's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia Global Center Mumbai is spearheading a comprehensive cancer research and education initiative through collaboration with leading cancer research institutes and hospitals across India. We have forged partnerships with Tata Memorial Centre and its R&D wing, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Max Healthcare, Jupiter Hospital, and Tata 1 mg. As part of this collaboration, we are hosting expert-led webinar series and exploring joint research projects to advance cancer screening, treatment and outcomes.
Columbia HICCC Webinar Series
This high-level webinar series aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote research collaborations on breast, GI, lung, and oral cancers between India and the U.S. The quarterly series helps bring together networks of top oncologists from Columbia University and leading Indian cancer institutes to share cutting-edge research and best practices across the cancer spectrum.
Experts from Columbia HICCC, RGCIRC and TMC explored the latest advances in treating pancreatic cancer, from targeted therapies like PARP and KRAS inhibitors to innovative immunotherapy and precision radiotherapy approaches. The third webinar in the "Columbia HICCC Cancer Series" highlighted cutting-edge surgical techniques, the role of biomarkers in guiding treatment, and the importance of multidisciplinary care. Speakers also discussed emerging strategies, including personalized vaccines and combination therapies, pointing toward a future of more precise, effective treatments for this challenging disease.
Around 60% of oral cancers in India present at a locally advanced stage, often due to late diagnosis, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to specialized care. The second webinar in the Columbia HICCC Cancer Series, “Head and Neck Cancer: From Diagnosis to Therapy” highlighted the importance of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy along with multidisciplinary care for optimal patient outcomes. It also showcased how Columbia is leveraging online adaptive radiation therapy, machine learning and mathematical modelling to refine predictive tools and personalize treatment.
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Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women around the world, accounting for one quarter for all female cancers. "From Genes to Care - Advances in Breast Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics" hosted in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre, highlighted the high breast cancer mortality rate among younger women and noted that combining chemotherapy with surgery improves survival rates by over 12% for patients under 50. With shared insights on early detection in the U.S., the webinar underscored the need for MRI screenings, preventive surgeries, and equitable access to genetic testing, especially for minority groups. It also shed light on groundbreaking targeted therapies like Alpelisib and Capivasertib, which block malfunctioning pathways in cancer cells, and stressed the vital role of patient advocacy in research and awareness..
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