Mahavir Cancer Sansthan in Patna will open a molecular and diagnostic laboratory for cancer diagnosis on Monday.

The lab, set up at an estimated Rs 50 lakh, will help provide cancer patients targeted therapies by analysing their DNA and RNA (ribonucleic acid). At present, none of the state-run hospitals in Patna have such a facility.

"Molecular diagnosis can be very helpful in treatment of cancer as it helps provide targeted therapy to patients. DNA varies from person to person. Among cancer patients, there is always some kind of alterationin their DNA profile, causing growth of the cancer cells," said Mohammad Ali, lab in-charge of the new facility at Mahavir Cancer Sansthan. "Molecular diagnosis helps find that alteration point. By knowing the alteration point in the DNA, targeted therapies can be provided and the drugs can help stop the growth of cancerous cells."

Mahavir Cancer Sansthan associate director Manisha Singh said: "The targeted drugs work differently from chemotherapy drugs. Not only are they more effective than chemotherapy, they have less side effects too."

Initially, the hospital will conduct tests for leukaemia, lung cancer and colon cancer.

"Earlier the hospital was getting its molecular tests done from a laboratory in Gurgaon. It not only took seven days but the tests were costly too," said Ali.