Photo: icddr,b

DHAKA, April 23, 2025 (BSS) - With a view to making cancer care more precise, accessible and affordable, icddr,b to launch its Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based cancer diagnostic service tomorrow. 

Offered by the icddr,b Genome Centre, this is the most comprehensive molecular testing service of its kind in the country, developed to support cancer specialists with faster, more accurate, and locally available diagnostics to guide personalised treatment plans, according to a press release issued here today.

The initiative addresses a longstanding call from Bangladesh's cancer specialist community to reduce dependence on overseas laboratories. Currently, many patients wait four to five weeks for results, often at high cost and with questionable report quality. 

In contrast, icddr,b will deliver reports in less than two weeks, backed by internationally trained experts, cutting-edge equipment, and globally benchmarked standards, the release added.

Senior Scientist and Acting Senior Director, Infectious Diseases Division at icddr,b Dr Md Mustafizur Rahman said, "We are taking a transformative step toward accessible and precise cancer care in Bangladesh. We are ensuring the highest quality through globally trained professionals, rigorous validation, and world-class infrastructure. Our commitment is to provide cancer specialists and patients with timely, trusted insights that can make all the difference in cancer care."

The service was developed under the leadership of Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, who envisioned the Genome Centre as a strategic initiative to strengthen national cancer care.

Dr Tahmeed said, "This was a gap we could not ignore. Our goal is to ensure no patient has to wait weeks or travel abroad for critical test results. We invite cancer specialists to work with us to bring this service to more people who need it most. This is not just a service-it's a promise to deliver hope, trust, and better outcomes for all parties in cancer treatment and management in Bangladesh."

A 2025 nationwide study by BMU found that cancer affects over 100 in every 100,000 people in Bangladesh, with breast, oral, stomach, throat, and cervical cancers being the most common. Many patients facing delays in diagnosis, early and reliable testing is essential.

The icddr,b Genome Centre is well positioned to play a vital role in improving outcomes and reducing the national cancer burden. It offers testing for breast, lung, colon, ovarian, and blood cancers, enabling doctors to intervene when treatment is most effective.

To facilitate patient access, samples will be collected from any of the icddr,b Diagnostics Centres and booths in Mohakhali, Mirpur, Motijheel, Dhanmondi, Uttara, Niketon, Gulshan, and Baridhara.