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RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Tata Medical Center

The Tata Medical Center is committed to research and development in all aspects of cancer and its management. Our aim is to develop a solid platform for clinical, laboratory and translational research in oncology.

The ambit of research at Tata Medical Center will cover phase I/II/II clinical trials as well as laboratory and technical studies on a wide range of subjects. Collaborative research and developmental activities with some of the best academic hospitals are planned. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has already been signed with Duke University in the United States for collaboration in a wide range of activities, including clinical research as well as health information technology.

TMC is uniquely equipped for research of the highest standards. The hospital has state of the art infrastructure in all clinical and laboratory departments. Clinical information storage and flow is entirely electronic, with excellent search and retrieval facilities. The faculty has an excellent academic background and research experience. A large fellowship program has been initiated in all departments to foster new research and developmental activities under faculty supervision.

Patient safety is paramount in all clinical studies. All clinical studies involving human subjects will follow a rigorous protocol compliant with international Good Clinical Practice (GCP) norms. All study proposals will be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and an Ethics Committee. A monitoring committee will periodically review progress of clinical studies.

TTCRCPalliative Care and Psycho-OncologyClinical HematologyMedical Oncology RadiotherapyTransfusion MedicineInfectious Diseases
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Cancer services delivery: focus on India

26 May 2022
Guest Editors: Soumitra Shankar Datta and Eduardo Cazap.

Delivering cancer care in India: doing things differently and getting it right

1,2 Soumitra Shankar Datta and Eduardo Cazap3

1 Senior Consultant, Dept of Palliative Care and Psycho-oncology,Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India 700160

2 Honorary Researcher, Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology, University College London, United Kingdom

3 Editor-in-Chief, ecancer, 13 King Square Avenue, Bristol, BS2 8HU, UK and President, Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Corresponding Author: Soumitra Shankar Datta Email: ssdatta2000@yahoo.com

This special issue aims to highlight some of the challenges of cancer care delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the way these could be overcome. We have six papers in this special issue on a wide range of topics such as 1) diagnostic performance and survival outcome of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) procedure in 1500 breast cancer patients from a tertiary cancer care centre 2) information sharing preferences of professionals looking after children with cancer 3) Outcome of clinico-radiologically advanced cancer (cT4b) of buccal mucosa 4) Pre-operative risk factors associated with a post-operative psychiatric diagnosis in oral cancer patients, 5) A public policy analysis with key stakeholders’ insights to understand India’s compliance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 6) Teaching breast cancer surgery in India: Challenges and opportunities.

Even frugal innovations can make a big impact on cancer outcomes. The paper on sentinel lymph node biopsy by Agarwal et al reports data on 1500 women with early breast cancer adopting a technique of combining blue dye and ICG methods. The authors feel this is the way forward for LMICs as it is a cheaper alternative to radioactive dye and more accessible to clinicians in LMICs. The technique when used appropriately would avoid unnecessary axillary dissections in many patients and possibly lead to improved quality of life. This is a perfect example of frugal innovation that may have far-reaching consequences. Not all that is done has to be expensive. We hope it will help readers to learn and adapt their practices in cancer care.

Survival in childhood cancers has improved in the past few decades [1] and it is not unusual to come across parents wanting detailed information on the outcome of childhood cancers. The special issue has a paper that reports on the communication preferences of professionals in paediatric oncology. The paper has used a qualitative research methodology. The authors suggest a model for communication that is suitable for LMICs to provide a stable foundation of care for children with cancer.

In another paper, Jain et al discuss the benefits and outcomes of upfront surgical treatments of cT4b buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma. The authors discuss this in the context of choosing a path of curative treatment for this group of patients, in contrast to being deemed inoperable had they adhered to some of the other treatment guidelines. Let’s hope this starts off a debate on the treatment of such cancers. There is another paper on post-operative psychiatric morbidities and their management strategies in oral cancers. Head and Neck cancers, although one of the commonest cancers in India [2], require intensive treatments and need to be managed holistically.

The special issue has an interesting article by Ghose et. al. on public policy analysis using a novel methodology of juxtaposing the findings of qualitative interviews of key stakeholders alongside analysis of secondary data available in the public domain. This paper also addresses the strengths and gaps of the tobacco control policy in India.

The last article by Agrawal et al discusses the challenges and opportunities of teaching breast cancer surgery in India and the authors cover the way students could be trained during their undergraduate, post graduate and super specialist training.

India currently has a high cancer burden [3]. As editors, we hope that this special issue will contribute to the planning of future cancer services in India. Providing holistic care that is sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of the patient is crucial. We need preventive programs, early identification of patients as well as cost-effective cancer care that is evidence-based and accessible to the patient.

References

[1] Lam CG, Howard SC, Bouffet E, Pritchard-Jones K (2019) Science and health for all children with cancer Science 363 (6432) 1182–6

[2] World Health Organization: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cancer Today: Data Visualization Tools for Exploring the Global Cancer Burden in 2020 [Internet]. [cited 2022 Apr 10]. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/356-india-fact-sheets.pdf

[3]  Mallath MK, Taylor DG, Badwe RA, Rath GK, Shanta V, Pramesh CS, et al. (2014) The growing burden of cancer in India: epidemiology and social context Lancet Oncol. 15 (6) e205–12

Collaboration meeting between Tata Medical Center Kolkata, RadNet Cambridge and the Cambridge Breast Cancer Precision Medicine Virtual Institute.

A multi-professional group of six members of the CRUK RadNet Cambridge team, led by Prof Charlotte Coles and the Cambridge Precision Medicine Breast Cancer Virtual Institute, led by Prof Jean Abraham, visited Tata Medical Center (TMC) in Kolkata to meet with Dr Sanjoy Chatterjee and his colleagues from the Department of Oncology and the Tata Translational Cancer Research Center (TTCRC). This meeting was catalysed by the on-going Lancet Breast Cancer Commission. The aim of the visit was to exchange knowledge on the operational and scientific aspects of a translational research programme. A collaboration between the centres would increase the diversity of patient data contributing to both research programmes.

The Cambridge team shared their rich experience in research including translational and radiomic research. They detailed their multi omics research plans in solid tumours and highlighted their multi department collaboration to achieve the same. The team had received funding from CRUK through their RADNET project. They have also started one of UKs first Personalised Treatment research program in breast cancer. The TMC team shared their clinical trial portfolio including their success in developing a multi-institutional CHAVI repository for collaborative research.

TMC are keen to establish one of the first precision breast cancer programmes in India. Through three days of discussion, we were able to lay out the structure of an over-arching strategy that would allow complementary multi-omic tumour boards to be established in both centres and enable implementation of personalised patient management plans. In addition, TMC and the Precision Breast Cancer Institute team discussed strategies to mentor research nurses and co-ordination staff.

The RadNet Cambridge team also discussed collaboration in informatics and machine learning in radiotherapy, and work will commence to establish TMC as the first international site to join the Hamlet.rt radiomics study, led by Dr Raj Jena. TMC also shares an interest in patient reported outcome measures (PROM) research, and a proposal to collaborate on the development of PROMs to assess both physical and psychological morbidity in breast cancer patients was discussed.

We are very grateful to Prof Coles and her colleagues for their time and for sharing of knowledge and ideas during their visit. We look forward to ongoing collaborations between our two centres.

Publications (2023-2025):

A. Original and review articles:

  1. Datta SS, Berentsen S. Management of autoimmune haemolyticanaemia in low-to-middle income countries: current challenges and the way forward. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. 2023; 23:100343.
  1. Datta SS, Srivastava K, Rophina M, Scaria V, Liew YW, Morrison J, Millard GM, Flegel WA. Molecular characterization of variant D antigen expression among 56,445 blood donors in East India. Blood Transfus.2025;23(5):409-417.
  1. Datta SS, Hazra A, Basheela NH, Gupta K, Mondal PK, Aliper E, Bovin NV, Henry SM. Using SARS-CoV-2 red cell kodecytes to assess vaccine-induced immune response to the conserved 1147-58 region of the spike protein in Indian blood donors: exploring the potential role of blood transfusion services in population surveillance. Transfus Clin Biol. 2025;32(3):286-291.
  1. Cain L, Lafrance C, Morton S, Datta SS, et al. Differences in the product characteristics and clinical use of granulocytes for transfusion: The BEST Collaborative study. Transfusion. 2025;65(6):1111-1123.
  1. Sinha A, Basu S, Basu D, Reddy M, Rophina M, Scaria V, Datta SS. Weak D testing might be discontinued for RhD-negative blood donors with C and E negative phenotypes in the Indian population. Transfus Apher Sci. 2025; 64(3): 104116.
  1. Parhi S, Mukherjee A, Das P, Hoque S, Vaishak KR, Biswas S, Datta SS, Nandi SK, Dhara S, Basak P, Das SK, Ghosh P. Ultrathin Nanofibers Ameliorate Commercial Gauze for Rapid Hemorrhage Control Via Improved Clotting Kinetics and Rbc Modulation. Adv Healthc Mater. 2025:e2404814.
  1. Rajeev R, Mohanty P,Datta SS, MoitraP. Recent advances in point-of-care testing devices fortransfusion medicine. Trends in Analytical Chemistry 2026, 194:118490.
  1. Biswas D, Basheela NH, Pandey RK, Basu D, Datta SS. Direct antiglobulin test positivity in blood donors and impact on donor health and transfusion services: a seven-year retrospective study from Eastern India. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus.2025;41(4):978-982
  1. Das SS, Das S, Agrawal S, Shastry S, Shenoy V, Datta SS. A national survey of current immunohematologic testing practices for the diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in India. Immunohematology. 2024;40(2):65-72.
  1. Das SS, Das S, Shastry S, Shenoy V, Mandal S, Datta SS. Real-world data from India on clinical practices in the management of autoimmune haemolyticanaemia: A survey-based cross-sectional assessment. Transfus Clin Biol. 2023;30(1):137-142.
  1. Datta SS, Nagappan R, Biswas D, et al. A novel syphilis Treponema pallidum lipoprotein peptide antigen diagnostic assay using red cell kodecytes in routine blood centre column agglutination testing platforms. Vox Sang. 2024;119(8):821-826.
  1. Biswas D, Basu D, Nag A, Kumar J, Datta SS. A Brief Report on Pre-Transfusion Testing in Patients Receiving the Anti-CD38 Monoclonal Antibody for Hematological Disorders in India. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2024;40(4):710-714.
  1. Datta SS, Sinha A. Current challenges of blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia in India and future perspectives. Transfus Clin Biol. 2024;31(3):162-166.
  1. Datta SS, Sil S, Mandal S. Rare blood group registry in India-current challenges and future perspectives. Front Genet. 2023; 14:1264853.
  1. Mondal R, Deb S, Shome G, Datta SS, et al., Molecular dynamics of amyloid-β transport in Alzheimer’sdisease: Exploring therapeutic plasma exchange with albumin replacement — Current insights and future perspectives, Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2025;40(3):306-328.
  1. Shenoy V, Hazra A, AA AV. John L, Datta SS. Granulocyte Concentrates Derived from Buffy Coats Versus Apheresis granulocytes—differences in Product Characteristics and Costs between Two Centers in India. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-025-02120-w.
  1. Comparison of safety and efficacy of liberal versus restrictive red blood cell transfusion thresholds on the quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Hematology 2025 (in press).
  1. Building Research Capacity among Health Care Professionals in LMICs: Experiences from the 9th Tata Annual Biostatistics and Research Methods Course, 2025. ecancermedicalscience (in press).

 B. Case reports:

  1.  Rophina M, Sinha A, Biswas D, Basu D, Datta SS, Scaria V. Molecular basis of DEL phenotype in the Indian population: Insights from next-generation sequencing analysis of two cases. Transfus Apher Sci. 2024;63(2):103872.
  2. Tilley LA, Karamatic Crew V, Tearle A, Datta SS, Thornton NM. Homozygosity for a novel A4GALT allele resulting in the rare p phenotype in an Indian blood donor. Vox Sang. 2025; 120(5):509-512.
  1. Datta SS, Rophina M, Scaria V. Molecular analysis and transfusion management in a rare case of cis-AB blood group: A report from India. Transfus Clin Biol. 2024; 31(1):31-35.
  1. Datta SS, De D. Positive direct antiglobulin tests in cancer patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors: A case series from India. Transfus Clin Biol. 2023; 30(3):341-344.
  1. Reddy M, Basu S, Basu D, Datta SS. A rare case of Bm (Bweak) phenotype detected in a healthy blood donor from Eastern India. Glob J Transfus Med. 2023; 8:79-81.
  1. Sinha A, Basheela NH, Biswas D, Basu D, Datta SS. A rare case of pregnancy‑induced anti‑D, anti‑C, and anti‑G antibodies. Glob J Transfus Med. 2024; 9:70‑2.
  1. Biswas D, Basu D, Reddy M, Datta SS. Red cell antibodies or noise? A case series on reactivity against the ingredients in column matrix. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2024; 18:341-4.
  1. Basu D, Sinha A, Basheela NH, Biswas D, Datta SS. Clinical spectrum of anti-E: A thought for transfusion services. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2024. (ahead-of-print)
  1. Basu D, Biswas D, Sinha A, Basheela NH, Chakrabarty R, Datta SS. Transfusion management in two patients with anti‑f antibodies – A case report and review of the literature. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2024. (ahead-of-print)
  1. Rophina M, Imran M, Arvinden VR, Vignesh H, Scaria V, Basu D, Datta SS. Using next-generation sequencing to clarify the parental RhD genotypes of a child with acute leukemia – A case report and review of the literature. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2024. (ahead-of-print)

C. Research Letter/Correspondence/Comments:

  1. Rajeev R, Mohanty P, Datta SS, Moitra P. Improving transfusion medicine in resource-limited settings by point-of-care diagnostics. Nat Rev Bioeng. 2025,3:718-720.
  1. Berentsen S, Datta SS. Time for newer approach in age-old AIHA: Daratumumab?. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. 2024; 25:100410.
  1. Datta SS, Hazra A, Basheela NH, Bhattacharya S, Chatterji S. Resurgence of syphilis among blood donors in a single institutein Eastern India: a looming threat to public health andtransfusion services. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. 2025; 36:100572.
  1. Sinha A, Basheela NH, Biswas D, Basu D, Datta SS. Weakening of A Antigen in Myelodysplastic Syndrome-Mimicking a Case of Wrong Blood in Tube. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2024;40(2):359-361.
  1. Datta SS. Transfusion Management in a Bleeding Patient with Rare H-deficient Blood Group Variant. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2023;39(3):508-509.
  1. Datta SS. Alteration of blood group in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Glob J Transfus Med. 2024; 9:90-1.
  1. Sinha A, Nag A, Basu D, Datta SS. ABO‑Mismatch Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Pre‑existing Red Cell Alloantibody Resembling a Case of Post‑transplant Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2025;41(3):711-713.
  1. Sinha A, Basheela NH, Biswas D, Basu D, Datta SS. Red Cell Genotyping Helps in Managing a Multi-Transfused Patient with Serologically Inconclusive Results. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2025; 41(2):427-428.
  1. De D, Datta SS. Very low-dose prophylaxis in children with hemophilia A. Asian J Transfus Sci. 2024;18:369-70.
  1. Datta SS. Red cell alloimmunization in chronic kidney disease. Asian J Transfus Sci 2024;18:371-2.

As Infectious Diseases is at hotseat of research and newer advances, the department is involved in research and audit activities. It currently has projects funded by various agencies like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Projects:

1. ICMR National Clinical Registry for CoViD 19

2. A Site Feasibility and Prospective Cohort Study of Hospitalized Adults and Children with Serious Bacterial Infection Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms, with Focus on Enterobacterales and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an Observational Study funded by The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), Switzerland, through ICMR. Fund Amount: INR 19,04,951

3. Assessing Antibiotics Usage and Treatment Outcome Patterns in Hospitalized Patients with Serious Bacterial Infection Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms: A Single Centre Observational Study, funded by ICMR Fund Amount: INR 94,60,186

4. Needs assessment and need-specific training for diagnosis and treatment of Metallo Beta lactamase (MBL) producing organisms: A hierarchical network-pedagogical approach in Eastern and North Eastern India. Pfizer Global Medical Grant. Fund amount $93440.

Publications:

1. Chatterji, S., Bhattacharya, S., Mukherjee, S., Goel, G., Das, P., et al. A retrospective observational study on incidence and clinico-epidemiological features of COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis among cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a tertiary care cancer centre of India. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 10(7), 2506–2513. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20232045.

2. Dutta SS, et al. A Cross-Sectional Study on Immunoglobulin G Serology Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 among Health-Care Workers and Blood Donors in an Oncology Center in Eastern India Along with an Assessment of their Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Blood Donation during COVID-19. May 2023. Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine 2023(8):51-56. DOI: 10.4103/gjtm.gjtm_36_22

3. Mukherjee S, De MS, Bhattacharyya A, et al. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteraemia rates among cancer patients in an oncology hospital in eastern India: an 11-year retrospective observational study. Infect PrevPract. 2023 Feb 18;5(2):100275. doi: 10.1016/j.infpip.2023.100275. PMCID: PMC10006829

4. Bhattacharya S, Chatterji S*, Chandy M, et al. Molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers and identification of viral genomic correlates of transmissibility and vaccine break through infection: A retrospective observational study from a cancer hospital in eastern India. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2023 Jan-Feb;41:104-110. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.09.010. Epub 2022 Oct 13. PMID: 36244851; PMCID: PMC9558092.

MBBS (NRS Medical College, Kolkata)
MSc, PhD (Distinction)
(Memorial University Of Newfoundland, Canada)
Postdoctoral fellowship (Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Canada)

Medical Research Consultant, ICMR

Please click on the button to take a look at the PubMed-indexed articles from Tata Medical Center (upto 2024).

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