Spotlight on the Integrated Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (IASCC)
The Integrated Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (IASCC) was established with a focused mission – to promote research, education, and advancements in oncology supportive care across India. Initially operating under the aegis of the NAG Foundation, IASCC has now completed its formal registration as an independent entity, reaffirming its commitment to empowering healthcare providers with knowledge and tools to improve the quality of life for people living with cancer.
Since May 2019, IASCC has been the official Indian affiliate of MASCC, and it continues to promote supportive cancer care through education, research, collaboration, and community impact.
Highlights from the Best of MASCC 2024 Meeting
The Best of MASCC 2024 Annual Meeting, held on February 1 – 2, 2025, at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, brought together leading experts in supportive oncology care for an enriching two-day event. Sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics including:
- Management of emerging toxicities from ADCs, immunotherapy, and CAR-T therapy
- Advancements in pain management and the growing role of AI in cancer therapy
- Innovative approaches to managing symptom clusters in cancer care
- Major updates on antiemetic regimens, transformative mucositis management strategies, and emerging research on the gut-brain axis dysfunction and its impact on neuropsychological symptoms in cancer patients
- Interactive panel discussions and sessions on nursing leadership, palliative care, and clinical research in supportive cancer care
The event also featured inspiring keynote talks from Dr. Florian Scotté, MASCC President (2024 – 2026), and Dr. Rajesh Lalla, Past MASCC President, highlighting the strength of global collaboration in shaping the future of supportive care.
IASCC Research Initiatives, Funding and Impact
Since 2019, IASCC has actively funded and supported over 20 groundbreaking research projects addressing unique challenges in supportive cancer care in India. Here are some key highlights:
- A virtual reality device study to help reduce anxiety in children undergoing cancer procedures
- Participation in a randomized Phase III trial to assess the role of NK-1 receptor antagonist for highly emetogenic chemotherapy
- Studies validating tools like the Hurria score in predicting chemo-toxicity in Indian elderly patients
Recent published papers supported by IASCC researchers include:
- Olanzapine as antiemetic prophylaxis in moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: A phase 3 randomized clinical trial
- Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of topical diclofenac in the prevention of hand-foot syndrome in patients receiving capecitabine (the D-TORCH study)
- Patient-reported cognitive impairments and objective neuropsychological deficits in young sarcoma patients undergoing chemotherapy and its comparison to healthy controls: A tertiary health care study from India
These projects reflect IASCC’s strong commitment to advancing patient-centered, evidence-based care in oncology.
Looking Ahead
Going forward, IASCC aims to:
- Expand research funding and explore new focus areas in supportive care
- Broaden educational outreach and mentorship programs
- Strengthen international collaborations with MASCC for collaborative guideline development, training and better patient care
- Launch dedicated study groups to foster specialized learning and research
- Grow its membership base to build a stronger, more connected supportive care community across India
For more updates or to join the IASCC community, visit iascc.in or contact them at iasccmascc@gmail.com.
