Setting research priorities for cancer in India: Findings from a CHNRI exercise by ICMR & AIIMS-NCI

Background & objectives With limited funding and vast array of research ideas, setting priorities becomes essential to ensure effective and efficient use of resources. This study aims to systematically identify key research questions in cancer through stakeholder engagement using the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method which is a new concept in the Indian context. Methods The Indian Council of Medical Research held a research priority-setting exercise on May 7-8, 2024 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences-National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar, Haryana, engaging 84 participants across India using CHNRI methodology. Experts were divided into four thematic groups. In Step I, each group proposed research questions, which were scored based on five predefined criteria (answerability, efficacy, relevance, deliverability, equity) and arranged in descending order. In Step II, the highest-scoring questions were further validated through full-house voting. Questions receiving a consensus of more than two-third were finalised as priorities. Results In Step I, 99 questions were generated which covered descriptive (n=10), development (n=65), discovery (n=14), and delivery research (n=10). Development group questions were subcategorised as Technologies (diagnostics/devices/digital) (n=17), Therapeutics (n=16), Prevention and screening (n=20), and Palliative care and survivorship (n=12). During validation (Step II), 36 questions across all domains received >66 per cent scores, resulting in research priorities. Interpretation & conclusions The priority setting exercise helped in short listing research questions in area of cancer in India and provided actionable guidance to policymakers and funders enabling appropriate usage of limited funds.