dbCPCO: a database of genetic markers tested for their predictive and prognostic value in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer with a 5-year survival rate of 30-65%. A portion of the interpatient variability in its clinical outcome is attributed to inherited and somatic genetic factors. Although numerous research articles have investigated these factors in colorectal cancer, there has not been a central resource, such as a public database, that compiles these findings. Here we describe the dbCPCO, a database of genetic variations tested for association with colorectal cancer prognosis and clinical outcome. dbCPCO curates the results of research articles on colorectal cancer that investigate the possible correlation of genetic factors with various patient and tumor characteristics. Literature reports are retrieved from PubMed. The data that meet the inclusion criteria are compiled in a relational database and posted in a dedicated Website. The genetic factors include inherited genetic polymorphisms, and somatic and germline mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. As of March 2010, the dbCPCO Website posts 778 scientific findings on 456 polymorphisms, somatic and germline mutations from 189 genes, and genetic loci tested for correlation with clinicopathological features and/or clinical outcome in colorectal cancer. The dbCPCO is periodically updated and freely available for the scientific and medical community at http://www.med.mun.ca/cpco.