Features
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In the CIViC data model, Features are a top level entity, and Variants are associated with Features. Types of Features supported by CIViC include: Genes, Fusions, and Factors, discussed further below. Features were introduced to broaden the types of Variants for which CIViC curation can be performed beyond Gene-based variants exclusively.


The motivation for addition of Features emerges from considering that cancer biomarkers with clinical impact are not always directly associated to single/individual genes. For example;


- High Microsatellite Instability (MSI-H) can be associated with positive prognostic outcome in colorectal cancer
- High Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) can be sensitizing to pembrolizumab in solid tumors
- HPV infection in cervical cancer can have prognostic value dependent on HPV subtype


The sections below will give the user an understanding of the Feature data model 


.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 2


   features/overview
   features/fvpairs
   features/browsing