Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Generation of Comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Database - Tool for Translational Research
Published on: January 22, 2011
HemOnc.org: A Collaborative Online Knowledge Platform for Oncology Professionals
Jeremy L Warner1, Andrew J Cowan2, Aric C Hall2
1Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA Jeremy.warner@vanderbilt.edu.
Purpose:
Cancer care involves extensive knowledge about numerous chemotherapy drugs and chemotherapy regimens. This information is constantly evolving, and there has been no freely available, comprehensive, centralized repository of chemotherapy information to date.
Methods:
We created an online, freely accessible, ad-free, collaborative wiki of chemotherapy information entitled HemOnc.org to address the unmet need for a central repository of this information. This Web site was developed with wiki development software and is hosted on a cloud platform. Chemotherapy drug and regimen information (including regimen variants), as well as other information of interest to hematology/oncology professionals, is housed on the site in a fully referenced and standardized format. Accredited users are allowed to freely contribute information to the site.
Results:
From its inception in November 2011, HemOnc.org has grown rapidly and most recently has detailed information on 383 drugs and 1,298 distinct chemotherapy regimens (not counting variants) in 92 disease subtypes. There are regularly more than 2,000 visitors per week from the United States and international locations. A user evaluation demonstrated that users find the site useful, usable, and recommendable.
Conclusion:
HemOnc.org is now the largest free source of chemotherapy drug and regimen information and is widely used. Future enhancements, including more metadata about drugs and increasingly detailed efficacy and toxicity information, will continue to improve the value of the resource.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment Resistent Cancers

