VI International Conference on ‘Ayurved for Cancer’ organized by Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust’s Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre,Wagholi,Pune on 9th,10th and 11th December 2022.
Bharatiya Sanskriti Darhan Trust has been organising International conference on ‘Ayurved for Cancer’ once in every five years with the aim of putting forth worldwide clinical and scientific research in integrative approach of oncology under one roof and to exchange knowledge regarding advances in cancer treatment and Integrative oncology. Till date such conferences were held in the year 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017.
This year VI international Conference was inaugurated on Friday, 9th December 2022. The conference was inaugurated by Padma Bhushan Vaidya Devinderji Triguna (President, Rashtriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India). Dr. Jeffery White (Associate Director, National Cancer Institute, USA) graced the occasion as chief guest. The conference inauguration ceremony started by lighting lamp, offering prayers to Lord Dhanwantari and seeking blessings of Parampoojya Prabhakar Keshav Sardeshmukh Mharaj.
The session commenced by chanting melodious hymns of Lord Dhanvantari. Dr. Jeffery White,Vd. Devinderji Triguna, Dr.Sadanand Sardeshmukh, (Director, ICTRC), Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh (Deputy Director, ICTRC),Dr. Arvind Kulkarni(Diretor, Oncology , ICTRC), Dr. Prashant Suru (Tustee, ICTRC), Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, Dr. Rajni Bhise, Dr. Vidya Gupta, Dr. Sushrut Sardeshmukh and Dr. Sukumar Sardeshmukh were present on the dias. Dr. Prashant Suru gave information about the trust. He narrated the vision and views and elucidated the importance of logo designed by param poojya Sardeshmukh Maharaj. He also elaborated the journey of Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust.
Starting from this year onwards, two awards will be given in the form of momento and cash prize. One is in the memory of Prampoojya Prabhakar Keshav Sardeshmukh Maharaj for outstanding work in the field of Aurveda. This year it has been awarded to Padmabhshan Vaidya Devinderji Triguna. In his speech Vaidya Trigunaji praised the work being carried out for the masses by Prof. Dr. Sadanand Sardeshmukh. He was happy about the interest shown by Dr. Jeffrey White in research in Ayurveda. He expressed his concern about the growing incidence in cancer and expressed hope that integration of two pathies will be beneficial for the mankind. He expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and AYUSH ministry for their effort in promoting Ayurved. He said, “ Our motto is Vasudhiva Kutumbakam. We aspire to have Rogavirahit Manav jati (Mankind devoid of sufferings)”.To achieve this objective he urged the pharmaceutical industry to provide quality medicines for healing the patients. He thanked the Institute for felicitating him.
The second award will be presented in the memory of Dr. Sudha Gangal for research in cancer.This award was given to Dr. Rajni Bhise. She praised the work being carried out at the institute.
On this occasion Book of Abstracts was unveiled by Dr. Jeffery White and Case Reports book was unveiled by Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan. Dr. Sushrut Sardeshmukh was the moderator for this event.
In his keynote address, Dr. Jeffery White gave a presentation about Complimentary Ayurvedic medicines. He explained Grants offered by National Cancer Institute related to traditional medicine and opined on research and integrated care. Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan gave his valuable inputs.
In the first session, Dr. Tushar Patil delivered a talk on advancement in medical oncology. Dr. Vinod Gore explained about oncoplasty, the combination of oncology and plastic surgery for better cosmosis. He also talked about various types of oncoplasty and their pros and cons. Dr. Satish Sonawane explained about Thyroid cancers. Dr. Shrnivas Datar, Assistant Director of ICTRC explained about diagnosis of Cancer from Ayurvedic perspective.
In the second session, Dr. Swapna Kulkarni, Research Associate, ICTRC presented effectiveness of Roupya Suvarna Sootshekhar a herbo-Mineral-Metallic formulation in treating malignant Brain tumors. Dr. Sushrut Sardeshmukkh presented case report of a patient diagnosed with oligoastrocytoma. The next talk was on recent advances in ablative Therapies delivered by Dr. Suyash Kulkarni. Dr. S.M.Karndikar explained the fundamentals and complications of chemotherapy. Dr. Suhama Shivgankar, SRF at ICTRC put forth the finding of efficacy of Chemo Recovery Kit on Chemotherapy induced toxicities in Breast Cancer. Dr. Minish Jain described about lifestyle and its effect on health and its causativity in diseases. Dr. Devidas Karde, surgeon in oncology at ICTRC, narrated about post operative care in esophageal cancer. Dr. .Boman Dhabhar, Medical Oncologist from Mumbai, explained about non-specific as well as specific targeted therapies in cancer. He also told about new antihormonal treatments.
In the third session, case reports of patients registered in ICTRC treated with adjunct ayurvedic treatment were presented. Dr. Abhishek Salunkhe presented case of Renal carcinoma, Dr. Dhananjay Deshpande and Dr. Vijay Radye presented cases of CA Pyriform fossa. All these doctors are working as Senior Research fellow in ICTRC. This session mainly focused on Radiation oncology. Dr. Jagdish Shinde talked on history and evolution of Radiation oncology Dr. Bhushan Zade delivered his talk on changing radiation therapy paradigm in breast cancer from long course to short course. Dr. Madhuri Anuje presented role of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as radiotherapy sensitizer in colorectal cancer. Dr. Shweta Gujar, Assistant Director, ICTRC put forth her findings on effectiveness of Radiation Recovery Kit in radiotherapy induced toxicities in Oral cavity cancers. Dr. Onkar Pathak, Junior Research Fellow of ICTRC presented a case on CA Cervix with Lung metastasis. The session was chaired by Dr. Sumit Basu who explained about precision radiation in oncology.
On the second day, session started by offering prayers to Lord Dhanvantri. Dr. Swati Dixit, ex-physician from ICTRC sang Dhanvantari Stavan .The first session was chaired by Dr. Raj Nagarkar, Surgical Oncologist, chairman of Manavata Cancer Center, Nashik. Dr. Sharad Porte, Jaipur, presented a case on Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He discussed about the clinical manifestations and radiological changes found in this patient. Dr. Vitthal Huddar presented a case of brain tumor and the role of Panchakarma in management of brain tumor. Dr. Anuradha Sowani talked about Palliative chemotherapy. She elaborated the role of palliation in optimizing the symptoms, improving quality of life and improving survival of patients. Next speaker, Dr. Rakesh Neve led through the evolution of robots and its usage in modern era. He explained the utility of robots in surgery for cancer. Dr. Shrikant Ankolikar explained the principles of early cervical cancer. He stressed the importance of sentinel Lymph node biopsy for detection. Dr Shripad Banavali discussed about the immunomodulation of tumor environment and its importance on cancer treatment. Dr. Shailesh Naik gave presentation on oral cancers, its gravity and latest research in targeting to better cosmosis. Dr. Raj Nagarkar , the chair of this session presented the evolution of surgery from large incisions to minimally invasive surgeries and from the presence of surgeons in the operation theatre to robotic surgeries.
The second session highlighted the role of Panchkarma in Cancer. Dr. Dilip Gadgil explained the importance of panchakarma in disease free state. Dr. Vasanti Godse, Assistant Director, ICTRC presented findings and observations of Panchkarma treatment given in various types of cancer. Dr. Anjali Deshpande, Dr. Amruta Salunkhe and Dr. Sneha Nabar Research fellow working in ICTRC presented case reports of patients who had undergone panchakarma for various cancers. Dr. H.S.Palep who was the chair for this session presented his interpretation of ayurvedic terminology in modern medical language. He explained integrative approach towards management of Arbud.
The third session was chaired by Dr. Mohan Diwan who explained about patenting of Ayurvedic formulations. In this session, Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh, Deputy Director, ICTRC talked about Suvarna Bhasmadi vati (a Herbo-mineral-metallic formulation) and its application in various cancers. Dr. Vikram Gota elaborated toxicity studies of herbo-mineral Ayurvedic formulations used in Cancer treatment. Dr. Mangesh Mekha of Mumbai Oncology Centre, presented about Immunotherapy in Cancer. Vaidya. P. RamManohar talked about the toxicity of chemotherapy, side-effects encountered by the patient and how Ayurvedic interventions , Herbal formulations can be beneficial. Dr. Shailedra Savale who represented Spect Lab. Pune elaborated about role of nuclear medicine and its enormous applications in cancer management. Dr. Santosh Nevapurkar from Deerghayu Ayurved Swasthalaya, Aurangabad, presented a case study on Myelofibrosis. Dr. Sandeep Chavan from ICTRC , told that extensive step-wise standardization regarding complex formulation like Rasa kalpa is possible. Dr. Jayashree Joshi put forth the importance of Ayurved in maintaining health and play a role in onco-prevention of cervical and oral cancers.
The fourth session of 2nd day was Panel discussion on Integrative Oncology co-ordinated by Dr. Vidya Gupta. Dr. S.P. Sardeshmukh, Dr. Vineeta Deshmukh, Dr. Sharad Porte talked about the ayurvedic aspect while Dr. H.S.Palep talked integration of Allopathy and Ayurved. Dr. Madan Thangavelu, Dr. Simne Hunziker, Dr. Bhaswati Bhattcharya, Dr. Ruge Jose, Dr. Mark Rosenburg talked about their efforts and ways in promotions of Ayurved globally. In conclusion, Dr. Vidya Gupta opined that amalgamation of both pathies will be the future of medicine. An oral presentation competition had also been organized as a part of this conference. With respect to this, young researchers presented their research work in the later part of the fourth session.
On the concluding day, first session started on the topic of Genetics in Cancer. Dr. Sujit Joshi of Excel Diagnostics explained the role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in diagnosis and its prognostic evaluation of gynaecological cancers. Dr. Balendu Prakash talked on Pancreatic cancer. He opined that Pancreatic cancer can be prevented by treating recurrent pancreatitis through Ayurveda.
Dr. Kulkarni who represented Dr. Shona Nag, explained details about genetic testing its indications and procedure. Dr. Bhagyashree Sardeshmukh, Senior Research Fellow, ICTRC presented on Effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatment on survival in TNBC patients who had been screened for genetic mutation. Dr. Rajeev Sarin, In-charge, Cancer Genetics Unit & Prof. Radiation oncology, ACTREC & TMH chaired this session. He gave information regarding Hereditary Breast cancer in Indian scenario. He expressed concern about the limited awareness of hereditary risk factor, genetic testing and counselling. He also highlighted the need for developing alternative strategies adapted to Indian socio-economic and cultural practices for a greater impact. Dr. Sucheta Vaidya of ICTRC presented a case report of patient o HBOC syndrome treated with adjunct ayurvedic treatment.
The second session was based on biological studies on Ayurvedic therapies in cancer chaired by Dr. Rajni Bhisey. Dr. Shridevi Pathak showed presentation on systemic immune response and redox status in cancer patients to evaluate effectiveness of Ayurvedic formulations and procedures in cancer management during and post conventional therapy. Dr. Shubhada Chiplunkar presented her study on Immunological response of patients who had received Ayurvedic intervention. Her study highlighted the detoxifying effects of Panchkarma treatment which showed immunomodulatory effect, regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and functional properties of adaptive and innate immune cells. Dr. Vrushali Deshpande and Dr. Anita Shingte of ICTRC presented case reports of patient suffering from AML and a Stage IV TNBC patient respectively. Dr. Jyoti Kode, ACTREC, Navi Mumbai presented data on anti cancer activity of phytoextracts. The results show that phytoextracts regulate inflammatory immune mechanisms in pre-clinical cancer models. Mr. Akash Saggam and Ms.Madhura Joshi, Ph.D Scholars of Prof. Patwardhan at School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University presented about Rasayana Therapy a speciality of Ayurveda and research on Ashwagandha indicating its potential to lead a future course of integrative oncology. Dr. Rajni Bhisey showed the working of tobacco industry and explained its effects on the health of the workers of this industry.
The third session was on presentations by International speakers. Dr. Simone Hunziker, President of Indo-Swiss Ayurveda Foundation presented the potentials and challenges for the development and global spread of Ayurveda as an integrative medicine. She emphasized the importance of authentic knowledge in the transmission and practice of Ayurveda for the sake of its sustainability. Dr. Madan Thangavelu gave presentation on AYUSH biology for advancing cancer science and cancer biolgy research. Dr. Ricardo Ghelman, Paediatric oncologist and founding chair of CABSIN spoke about implementation of integrative oncology in Brazil based on the recommendation of the WHO strategy for Complementary Traditional Integrative medicine. Dr. Carlos Andrade presented on challenges of worldviews of western and traditional medical systems and Brazilian National Cancer Institute Integrative initiatives. Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya , Clinical Asst. Professor in Dept. of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, USA explained steps for proper research in Ayurveda for the benefit of the patient. These steps include careful casetaking to derive the Nidan, Second is Chikitsa (treatment) and third is conducting discussions amongst physicians regarding the treatment protocols administered to their patients. These steps will help to evaluate the effective methods to treat cancer patients.In this session, Dr. Nandita Joshi presented case report on Carcinoma of stomach with Liver metastasis while Dr. Sneha Dalvi presented case report of patient of Esophageal carcinoma. Both of them work as Research Fellow at ICTRC.
The fourth session comprised of oral presentations of doctors and basic researchers who had taken part in the competition. Dr. Beena, Dr. Siddhesh Dholam, Ms. Akila George, Ms. Kimaya Meher, Mrs. Trupti Pradhan, Dr. Renuka Gayal, Dr. Swathy Vijay Kumar were amongst the contestants. Dr. Vidya Gupta, Dr. Anil Sanganeria and Dr. Srinivas Datar judged the presentaations.
Along with the oral presentations a competition on Poster presentation was also organized by the Institute. These Posters were judged by Dr. Anil Sanganeria, Dr. Vidya Gupta and Dr. Vasanti Godse.
The Conference concluded with the valedictory function. Dr. Milind Nikumbh, Pro VC, MUHS, Nashik presided over the function as Chief Guest. The winners of Poster Presentation and Oral Presentation were felicitated by him. In his speech Dr. Nikumbh stressed the importance of research work being carried out in Ayurved and expressed hope that value and contribution of Ayurved in cancer treatment will be recognized by the world. He said, “Integrative oncology will be beneficial for treatment of Cancer. The Health University will try to promote this cause.”He expressed that Aarogya Vidnyan Vidyapeeth and Bharatiya Sanskriti Darsan Trust can work together.
The conference concluded with vote of thanks from Dr. S.P.Sardeskmukh, Director of ICTRC.