JODHPUR, June 18 -- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur are investigating the molecular mechanisms that cause cancer patients to become resistant to chemotherapy and other anti-cancer therapies. The research aims to develop predictive biomarkers that can identify, before treatment begins, which patients are unlikely to respond to specific therapies and to design new treatment strategies for these patients. According to experts, more than 900,000 cancer patients die every year in India. While advances in cancer treatment have improved survival rates, a substantial number of patients develop resistance to therapies, limiting treatment effectiveness and reducing survival outcomes. The research is led by Dr Dinesh Kumar Ahirwar, associate professor, department of bioscience and bioengineering, IIT Jodhpur, who heads the Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory. "Our research seeks to answer one of the most important questions in cancer treatment - why do some patients respond remarkably well to therapy while others do not? By understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms behind treatment resistance, we aim to help clinicians make informed treatment decisions and develop better therapeutic options for patients." Single-cell analysis helps identify specific subpopulations of cancer cells that survive chemotherapy and eventually cause disease progression, he said. "Our findings can help identify approved drugs that may be repurposed for cancer treatment. This has the potential to accelerate the availability of effective therapies for patients who currently have limited treatment options," he added....