Domains

precision medicine, clinical, genomics, biomedical, health

License

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Homepage

oncokb

Repository

GitHub

Infores ID

Unknown

FAIRsharing ID

Unknown

Product Summary

Contacts

OncoKB Team

Email: contact@oncokb.org

URL: https://www.oncokb.org/

Publications

OncoKB: A Precision Oncology Knowledge Base

Quantifying the Expanding Landscape of Clinical Actionability for Patients with Cancer

Products

From this Resource

ID	Name	URL	Category	Format	Description
oncokb.web_interface	OncoKB Web Interface	www.oncokb.org	GraphicalInterface	http	Interactive web interface for explori...
oncokb.api	OncoKB Web API	index.html	ProgrammingInterface	json	RESTful web API providing programmati...
oncokb.annotator	OncoKB Annotator	oncokb-annotator	ProcessProduct	python	Python-based annotation tool for anno...
oncokb.demo	OncoKB Demo	demo.oncokb.org	GraphicalInterface	http	Demo version of OncoKB containing ful...

From other Resources

ID	Name	URL	Category	Format	Description
clinicalkg.graph	CKG Graph Dump	1	GraphProduct	mixed	Neo4j database dump of the Clinical K...
cancer-genome-interpreter.clinicalkg.graph	CKG Graph Dump	1	GraphProduct	mixed	Neo4j database dump of the Clinical K...
ckg.graph	CKG Graph Database Dump	1	GraphProduct	neo4j	Graph database dump and additional re...

Relevant Taxa

Human (NCBITaxon:9606)

Details

OncoKB

OncoKB is a precision oncology knowledge base developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center that serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the clinical actionability of genomic alterations in cancer. The platform provides expertly curated information about the biological and therapeutic implications of cancer variants, enabling clinicians and researchers to make informed decisions in precision oncology.

Overview

OncoKB is an FDA-recognized human genetic variant database that integrates biological and clinical information about genomic alterations across various cancer types. The knowledge base systematically categorizes therapeutic implications using the OncoKB Levels of Evidence system, which assigns clinical actionability to individual mutational events based on the strength of available evidence.

Key Features

Comprehensive Coverage

OncoKB currently encompasses:

945 genes with curated cancer relevance
7,967 alterations with detailed annotations
143 cancer types with specific therapeutic contexts
156 drugs with associated therapeutic implications

Evidence-Based Classification System

The OncoKB Levels of Evidence system provides a standardized framework for interpreting the clinical significance of genomic alterations:

Therapeutic Levels:

Level 1: FDA-approved drugs with biomarker-specific indications
Level 2: Standard care biomarkers recommended by NCCN or expert panels
Level 3A: Compelling clinical evidence for biomarker-drug associations in specific tumor types
Level 3B: Standard care or investigational biomarkers in other indications
Level 4: Compelling biological evidence
Level R1/R2: Resistance implications with varying levels of evidence

Diagnostic and Prognostic Levels:

Dx1-Dx3: Diagnostic implications with FDA-approved, guideline-recommended, or investigational evidence
Px1-Px3: Prognostic implications with similar evidence gradations

Expert Curation Process

All annotations in OncoKB undergo rigorous expert curation following standardized operating procedures. The curation team systematically reviews literature evidence and clinical trial data to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance. The curation process is version-controlled and regularly updated to reflect new evidence and regulatory approvals.

Applications and Use Cases

Clinical Decision Support

OncoKB serves as a critical resource for:

Interpreting genomic testing results in clinical practice
Identifying FDA-approved targeted therapies for specific alterations
Understanding resistance mechanisms and alternative treatment options
Supporting molecular tumor boards and precision oncology programs

Research Applications

The platform enables:

Large-scale genomic analysis with standardized annotation
Clinical trial design and patient stratification
Biomarker discovery and validation studies
Pharmacogenomic research and drug development

Bioinformatics Integration

OncoKB provides multiple access methods for computational workflows:

RESTful web API for programmatic data access
OncoKB Annotator for batch annotation of genomic data
Integration with popular analysis platforms and pipelines
Standardized output formats compatible with clinical systems

Data Access and Licensing

OncoKB operates under a tiered licensing model:

Academic Research: Free access for non-commercial academic research
Commercial Use: Licensing fees required for commercial applications
Demo Access: Limited demo version available for evaluation

All programmatic access requires registration and API token authentication. The platform maintains strict data use agreements to ensure appropriate use of curated knowledge while supporting both academic research and clinical implementation.

Integration with Broader Ecosystem

OncoKB is deeply integrated with the Memorial Sloan Kettering computational oncology ecosystem, including:

cBioPortal: Cancer genomics data visualization and analysis
OncoTree: Standardized cancer type classification system
IMPACT: MSK’s targeted sequencing panel and analysis pipeline

The knowledge base also contributes to and aligns with broader precision oncology initiatives, supporting standardized approaches to genomic interpretation across institutions and healthcare systems.