dbGENVOC: Database of Genomic Variants of Oral Cancer

• 10 Jul 2021

Why in News

Recently, the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), funded by the Department of Biotechnology, has created the world's first database of genomic variations in oral cancer (dbGENVOC).

Key Points

• About dbGENVOC:
  
  • dbGENVOC, a comprehensive, flexible database framework, developed with an aim to allow potential users to access, query, browse and download clinically relevant somatic and germline variation data from Indian oral cancer patients.
    
    • Somatic or acquired genomic variants are the most common cause of cancer, occurring from damage to genes in an individual cell during a person’s life.
    • A germline variant occurs in gametes and is passed directly from a parent to a child at the time of conception. Cancers caused by germline pathogenic variants are called inherited or hereditary.
  • It will be updated annually with variation data from new oral cancer patients from different regions of India and southeast Asia.
• Cancer Burden in India:
  
  • According to the World Cancer Report 2020, India had an estimated 1.16 million new cancer cases in 2018.
  • 1 in 10 Indians will develop cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 15 will die of the disease.
  • The six most common cancer types in India are breast cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and colorectal cancer.
    
    • Oral cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among men in India, largely fuelled by tobacco-chewing.
• Other Related Initiatives:
  
  • National Cancer Grid (NCG) is a network of major cancer centers, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India with the mandate of establishing uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, providing specialized training and education in oncology (study of cancer) and facilitating collaborative basic, translational and clinical research in cancer. It was formed in August 2012.
  • National Genomic Grid (NGG): NGG will collect samples from cancer patients, through a network of pan-India collection centres by bringing all cancer treatment institutions on board.
  • National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is being implemented under National Health Mission (NHM) for up-to the district level activities.

Source: PIB