title: An oral cancer biobank initiative: a platform for multidisciplinary research in a developing country.
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.
authors.affiliation: Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. rosnahmz@um.edu.my
authors.forename: Rosnah Binti
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Zain
authors.forename: Vimmitra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Athirajan
authors.forename: Wan Maria Nabillah
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Ghani
authors.forename: Ishak Abdul
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Razak
authors.forename: Raja Jalaludin
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Raja Latifah
authors.forename: Siti Mazlipah
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Atiya Abdul
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sallam
authors.forename: Anita Zarina
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Bustam
authors.forename: Zainal Ariff Abdul
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hussien
authors.forename: Norain
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Talib
authors.forename: Sok Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jallaludin
mesh_terms: D019992:Databases as Topic; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008296:Malaysia; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014015:Tissue Banks