Since 1955, the National Cancer Institute has conducted extensive testing of materials for possible activity against different forms of cancer. Over 400,000 compounds have been aquired and the information management problems associated with this effort are best handled by a computer system. The NCI Drug Information System (DIS) was set up in 1980 in order to keep track of acquisition, storage, shipping, and testing of drugs at the National Cancer Institute. The DIS consists of 2 major sub-systems: The Pre-Registry and the Drug sub-systems. The Pre-Registry sub-system handles compound acquisition and only is of interest to those directly involved in the acquisition process. The Drug sub-system is where most of the data is stored and is the system used by most users.

Databases in the DIS Drug Sub-System

• Chemistry

  A separate record exists for each compound in the program. The Chemistry database contains information relating to these compounds, such as structure, chemical name, Material Classification Code, and CAS registry number. The information in this database has been used to build the DIS 3D database.

• Biology

  There are three Biology databases, the Bioheader, Biocontrol, and the Biotest databases. The Bioheader database contains a summary of the data for each compound tested. The Biocontrol and Biotest databases hold the actual testing data, and contain separate records for each test performed.

• Minutes

  This database contains the minutes from the Decision Network, Operating Committee, and Biological Evaluation Committee meetings.

• Test Systems

  This database holds information relating to the individual test systems used in the screening program.

• Vehicle

  This database contains the definitions of the vehicle codes used in the Biology databases.

• ACATS

  This database contains the definitions of the Acquisition Category (ACAT) codes found in the Chemistry database. These categories in include analogue protocols and biological activities.

• Order

  This database contains the information related to the acquisition of compounds for testing.

• Shipping

  This database contains information related to the movement of materials between the Acquisition contractor, the Storage contractor and the testing laboratories.

• Inventory

  This database contains a separate record for each individual sample of compound received by the program. The database contains data such as the identity of the supplier of the material, and the date of acquisition.

• Namecodes

  This database contains names and addresses of the individuals and organizations that contribute materials or services to the program.

• Geographic

  This database contains the definitions of the Geographic codes used in the Namecodes database.

References

1. Milne, G.W.A. and Miller, J.A. The NCI Drug Information System. 1. System Overview. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 1986, 26, 154-159.
2. Milne, G.W.A., Feldman, A., Miller, J.A, Daly, G.P. and Hammel, M.J. The NCI Drug Information System. 2. DIS Pre-Registry. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 1986, 26, 159-168.
3. Milne, G.W.A., Feldman, A., Miller, J.A, and Daly, G.P. The NCI Drug Information System. 3. The DIS Chemistry Module. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 1986, 26, 168-179.
4. Milne, G.W.A., Miller, J.A, and Hoover, J.R.. The NCI Drug Information System. 4. Inventory and Shipping Modules. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 1986, 26, 179-185.
5. Zehnacker, M.T., Brennan, R.H. Milne, G.W.A., and Miller, J.A. The NCI Drug Information System. 5. DIS Biology Module. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 1986, 26, 186-193.
6. Zehnacker, M.T., Brennan, R.H. Milne, G.W.A., Miller, J.A. and Hammel, M.J. The NCI Drug Information System. 6. System Maintenance. J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 1986, 26, 193-197.