Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh will offer advanced genetic testing free of cost to cancer patients with the setting up of a dedicated laboratory at the Natco Cancer Centre on the premises of Guntur Government General Hospital (GGH).
The 2,000-sq.ft laboratory, being set up at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore, will initially conduct genetic tests for breast and lung cancer patients. Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav will inaugurate the facility on September 22.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government, AstraZeneca and Strand Life Sciences. The laboratory will analyse cancer samples to identify genetic mutations, helping doctors select appropriate treatment and monitor patients.
Satya Kumar said the facility would eliminate the need to send samples to Bengaluru and Mumbai for specialised mutation testing. While individual genetic tests cost Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 at private centres and comprehensive testing can cost up to Rs 75,000, the tests at the new facility will be provided free of cost.
Strand Life Sciences will develop the laboratory with technical support, with arrangements to test around 2,000 samples over two years. AstraZeneca will bear the cost of genetic testing for 1,000 breast cancer and 1,000 lung cancer patients.
The laboratory will test for mutations including BRCA1 and BRCA2 in breast cancer and EGFR, KRAS, NRAS and BRAF in lung cancer. The findings will help doctors determine suitable targeted medicines.
Following the pilot facility at Guntur, the government has proposed a full-scale genetic testing centre at Amaravati’s Quantum Valley. The proposed state-level facility would handle a larger volume of tests and be linked to a state genetic information system.
The government is also considering tests to detect 14 types of cancer at an early stage by identifying certain changes in blood. A proposal for a state-level genetic information centre to securely store genetic data of healthy people and those with rare diseases is also under consideration.
The project will also focus on early cancer detection. Breast examination equipment will be used for breast cancer screening, while chest X-rays will be used for lung cancer detection. Artificial intelligence will be used to identify suspicious changes in lung images, with a plan to screen up to 60,000 chest X-rays over two years.
Director of medical education Dr A. Vishnuvardhan said the Guntur laboratory was being established as a pilot project, with the initial focus on breast and lung cancer patients.
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