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An oral cancer biobank initiative: a platform for multidisciplinary research in a developing country

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Abstract

Identification of diagnostic markers for early detection and development of novel and therapeutic agents for effective patient management are the main motivation for cancer research. Biological specimens from large cohort and case-control studies which are crucial in providing successful research outcomes are often the limiting factor that hinders research efforts, especially in developing countries. Therefore, the Malaysian Oral Cancer Database and Tissue Bank System (MOCDTBS) were established to systematically collect large number of samples with comprehensive sociodemographic, clinicopathological, management strategies, quality of life and associated patient follow-up data to facilitate oral cancer research in Malaysia. The MOCDTBS also promotes sharing among researchers and the development of a multidisciplinary research team. The following article aims to describe the process of setting-up and managing the MOCDTBS.

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Acknowledgments

The development of the biobank was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Malaysia: Intensified Research in Priority Areas (IRPA) of the 8th Malaysia Plan (RMK8) Fund [project number: 06-02-03-0174 PR 0054/05-05; 06-00-00-0000] and E-Science Fund [project number: 06-01-03-SF0089]. The continuation and maintenance of the biobank are currently supported by the University of Malaya through an operative and human resource budget to the Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry. The authors would like to thank Dr. Wan Mahadzir Wan Mustafa, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Dr. Norma Jalil, Dr. Yuen Kar Mun, Dr. Tay Keng Kiong, all research coordinators and staffs from Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia at various participating hospitals for their invaluable effort in data and specimen collection. Our deepest gratitude is also dedicated to all members of this project for their support and endless effort in developing and maintaining the biobank.

Conflicts of interest

None declared.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Rosnah Binti Zain, Vimmitra Athirajan, Wan Maria Nabillah Ghani, Ishak Abdul Razak, Raja Jalaludin Raja Latifah, Siti Mazlipah Ismail & Atiya Abdul Sallam

  2. Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Rosnah Binti Zain

  3. Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Ishak Abdul Razak

  4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Siti Mazlipah Ismail, Zainal Ariff Abdul Rahman & Sok Ching Cheong

  5. Dean’s Office, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Anita Zarina Bustam

  6. Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Adam Hussien

  7. Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia

    Norain Talib

  8. Oral Cancer Research Team, Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Sok Ching Cheong

  9. Department of Otorhinolaringology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Amin Jallaludin

Authors
  1. Rosnah Binti Zain
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  2. Vimmitra Athirajan
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  3. Wan Maria Nabillah Ghani
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  4. Ishak Abdul Razak
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  5. Raja Jalaludin Raja Latifah
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  6. Siti Mazlipah Ismail
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  7. Atiya Abdul Sallam
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  8. Anita Zarina Bustam
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  9. Zainal Ariff Abdul Rahman
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  10. Adam Hussien
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  11. Norain Talib
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  12. Sok Ching Cheong
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  13. Amin Jallaludin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosnah Binti Zain.

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Zain, R.B., Athirajan, V., Ghani, W.M.N. et al. An oral cancer biobank initiative: a platform for multidisciplinary research in a developing country. Cell Tissue Bank 14, 45–52 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9298-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9298-0

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