Andhra Pradesh is set to introduce advanced genetic testing for cancer patients for the first time, with a new laboratory at Guntur GGH’s NATCO Cancer Centre offering free tests initially for breast and lung cancer patients.
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh is set to introduce advanced genetic testing for cancer patients for the first time, with a dedicated laboratory being established at the NATCO Cancer Centre in Guntur Government General Hospital (GGH).
The facility, spread across around 2,000 square feet, is being developed with an investment of approximately ₹2.5 crore. The required equipment has already been made available, and the laboratory will initially conduct genetic tests for breast and lung cancer patients.
Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate the facility on September 22.
The initiative is being implemented through a partnership between the Government of Andhra Pradesh, AstraZeneca and Strand Life Sciences.
According to the government, patients will be able to access the genetic tests free of cost. At private facilities, individual genetic mutation tests can cost around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, while comprehensive testing can cost substantially more.
Minister Satyakumar Yadav said the objective was to eliminate the need for patients to send samples to cities such as Bengaluru and Mumbai for advanced mutation testing.
Samples collected from cancer patients will be analysed to identify specific genetic mutations in cancer cells.
The results can help doctors determine appropriate treatment options and support decision-making from diagnosis through treatment and subsequent monitoring.
In breast cancer, the laboratory will initially examine mutations including BRCA1 and BRCA2, along with other relevant genetic alterations.
For lung cancer, testing will include mutations involving genes such as EGFR, KRAS, NRAS and BRAF.
The government said the findings could help doctors identify treatment options associated with specific genetic changes.
Strand Life Sciences will provide technical support for developing the laboratory at Guntur GGH.
The facility is being planned to test approximately 2,000 samples over two years.
As part of the initiative, AstraZeneca will support the cost of genetic testing for 1,000 breast cancer patients and 1,000 lung cancer patients.
Following the pilot facility at Guntur, the government is considering establishing a full-scale genetic testing centre at the Amaravati Quantum Valley.
The proposed centre is expected to handle a significantly larger number of tests and function as a State-level facility. Plans also include linking the centre with a proposed State genetic information system.
The long-term objective is to integrate genetic information with artificial intelligence and advanced medical research.
The government said such data could eventually support personalised treatment approaches, medical research and the development of new medicines, subject to appropriate safeguards and consent requirements.
The State is also exploring the development of a blood-based testing approach aimed at detecting biological changes associated with as many as 14 types of cancer at an early stage.
Officials said the technology could potentially be scaled up for population-level screening in the future, subject to validation and clinical evidence.
A proposal is also under consideration to establish a State-level genetic information centre that could maintain genetic information from healthy individuals as well as people with rare diseases for future research.
The project also includes strengthening early cancer detection using screening technologies.
For breast cancer, breast examination and screening equipment will be used, while chest X-rays will be used for lung cancer screening.
Artificial intelligence will be used to identify suspicious patterns in lung images for further medical evaluation.
The government has planned to examine up to 60,000 chest X-rays over two years under this component.
Director of Medical Education A. Vishnuvardhan said the genetic testing laboratory at Guntur GGH is being established as part of a pilot project.
He said the initial focus would be on breast and lung cancer patients and that identifying genetic changes in cancer cells could provide doctors with additional information while determining appropriate treatment.
The initiative marks a move towards expanding precision medicine and genomics-based cancer care in Andhra Pradesh, while creating infrastructure for genetic testing, AI-assisted screening and medical research.
