# Indian labs develop AI tool and targeted drug for cancer care 2026-08-24T12:05:43+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Two studies by Indian research institutes under the Department of Science and Technology have introduced advances in cancer care: an artificial intelligence framework to detect rare cancer stem-like cells, and a small-molecule drug that selectively releases compounds inside malignant cells, sparing healthy tissue. The AI framework, named ACSCeND, was developed by Dr Shubhasis Haldar at SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences with Ashoka University. It identifies three states of cancer stem-like cells from bulk RNA sequencing data, which are often missed by standard methods. The tool was validated on more than 25,000 tumour samples and found that tumours rich in certain stem-like cells are linked to poorer survival and reduced immunotherapy response. In a separate study, researchers led by Dr Asis Bala at IASST-Guwahati and Dr KP Bhabak at IIT-Guwahati created compound RK-251. It activates only inside cancer cells with high reactive oxygen species levels, releasing the anti-cancer compound NBDHEX. Lab tests showed effectiveness against triple-negative breast cancer cells with low toxicity to non-cancerous cells, and zebrafish embryo tests indicated no observable toxicity. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Cancer stem-like cells are a known driver of relapse and metastasis, making early detection critical for improving long-term survival. ACSCeND's ability to work on bulk sequencing data means existing patient samples from hospitals and biobanks can be reanalysed without expensive single-cell infrastructure. This could help clinicians identify high-risk patients earlier. For RK-251, the ROS-dependent release mechanism addresses a long-standing challenge of chemotherapy side effects. Both technologies are at the preclinical or computational validation stage, the next step is animal model testing and, for ACSCeND, clinical deployment in diagnostics. Watch for human trials or licensing agreements in the next two to three years. ## Coverage - thehindubusinessline.com Straightforward reporting of two research studies with no framing bias, attribution, or editorial comment. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Ashoka University, Department of Science and Technology, IASST-Guwahati, IIT Guwahati, SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, triple-negative breast cancer Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/indian-labs-develop-ai-tool-and-targeted-drug-for-cancer-care/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/indian-labs-develop-ai-tool-and-targeted-drug-for-cancer-care/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/