Study finds oral cancer driver mutations in women with a regional tobacco-chewing habit in Karnataka
Scientists from JNCASR Bengaluru and BRIC-NIBMG Kalyani reported a unique driver gene mutation in oral cancer among women in Karnataka's Kolar district who chew tobacco in a regional form called 'Kaddipudi'.
Summary
A women-centric study led by Prof. Tapas K Kundu of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, with BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani, and clinicians of SDUAHER, Kolar, used whole-exome sequencing of tumour and blood samples. It found a unique driver mutation linked to oral tumours in women with the Kaddipudi tobacco-chewing habit, helping better diagnosis and treatment.
Key facts
- Institutions
- JNCASR Bengaluru; BRIC-NIBMG Kalyani; SDUAHER Kolar
- Lead
- Prof. Tapas K Kundu
- Focus
- Oral cancer in women
- Habit studied
- Kaddipudi tobacco chewing, Kolar district, Karnataka
- Method
- Whole-exome sequencing and copy-number profiling
Practice MCQs 1 questions
A study reported in November 2025 on oral cancer in women focused on a regional tobacco-chewing habit called 'Kaddipudi', common in which district?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Kolar, Karnataka
The study covered female patients with the Kaddipudi tobacco-chewing habit commonly seen among women in Kolar district, Karnataka.