Dr. Tanveer Ahmad and his PhD student Ms. Nisha Chaudhary in Jamia Millia Islamia Develops AI-Powered Oral Cancer Detection Technology, Granted Patent by Indian Government
As 2024 draws to a close, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) proudly unveils a revolutionary advancement in the battle against oral cancer. Researchers at the university have developed an innovative technology that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital pathology to dramatically improve the detection and prediction of this deadly disease. This breakthrough promises to reshape cancer diagnostics, offering more precise, cost-effective, and widely accessible solutions for patients across the globe. The groundbreaking work comes from a scientist of Kashmir origin.
The Indian government has officially recognized the innovation, granting a patent on December 24, 2024, for the system titled A system and method for genomic markers and digital pathology image-based prediction of oral malignant disorders. Designed by Dr. Tanveer Ahmad and his PhD student Ms. Nisha Chaudhary from the Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies (MCARS), this invention is set to revolutionize the way oral cancer is diagnosed and managed.
The technology leverages a combination of tissue image analysis and genomic markers, enabling detailed insights into various oral conditions such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), oral leukoplakia (OLL), oral lichen planus (OLP), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). For OSCC, the system can assess the severity of the cancer, categorizing it as well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, or poorly differentiated. Moreover, the system predicts the likelihood of precancerous conditions advancing into malignant stages, providing critical information for early intervention.
In addition to its accuracy, the technology offers a significant reduction in diagnostic costs, making advanced oral cancer detection more accessible. By incorporating AI and digital pathology, the system also provides clear treatment pathways, leading to improved outcomes for patients.
The research team’s remarkable work was recently published in Scientific Data, a high-impact journal by the Nature Publishing Group, with an impressive impact factor of 9.8. Their article, High-resolution AI image dataset for diagnosing oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma, not only provides a valuable tool for researchers worldwide but also highlights the significance of their contributions to the field.
This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort, with Dr. Ahmad and Ms. Chaudhary working alongside esteemed researchers such as Dr. Akhilanand Chaurasia, Dr. Arpita Rai, Dr. Deepika Mishra, and Dr. Charbel Darido. Their combined expertise has laid the foundation for transformative advancements in both digital pathology and oral cancer research.
Professor Mohammad Husain, Director of MCARS, praised this achievement as a moment of immense pride for Jamia Millia Islamia. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the entire team, recognizing their dedication and visionary work, which has brought global recognition to the university.
This innovative research and its patent recognition represent a significant milestone not just for JMI, but for the global scientific and medical communities. Looking ahead to 2025, this technology stands as a beacon of hope for more accessible and effective cancer diagnostics.
Over the past five years, Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, a specialist in gene-editing, and his team have been at the forefront of various innovations aimed at improving the detection and treatment of life-threatening diseases, including the development of a COVID-19 detection tool.
