High microsatellite instability (MSI-H) colorectal carcinoma: a brief review of predictive biomarkers in the era of personalized medicine

Z Gatalica, S Vranic, J Xiu, J Swensen, S Reddy - Familial cancer, 2016 - Springer
Z Gatalica, S Vranic, J Xiu, J Swensen, S Reddy
Familial cancer, 2016Springer
Approximately 15% of colorectal carcinomas (CRC) display high level microsatellite
instability (MSI-H) due to either a germline mutation in one of the genes responsible for DNA
mismatch repair (Lynch syndrome, 3%) or somatic inactivation of the same pathway, most
commonly through hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene (sporadic MSI-H, 12%). Although
heterogeneous, MSI-H colorectal carcinomas as a group show some distinct biologic
characteristics when compared to CRC with stable or low level microsatellite instability. In …
Abstract
Approximately 15 % of colorectal carcinomas (CRC) display high level microsatellite instability (MSI-H) due to either a germline mutation in one of the genes responsible for DNA mismatch repair (Lynch syndrome, 3 %) or somatic inactivation of the same pathway, most commonly through hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene (sporadic MSI-H, 12 %). Although heterogeneous, MSI-H colorectal carcinomas as a group show some distinct biologic characteristics when compared to CRC with stable or low level microsatellite instability. In the present review we will highlight therapeutically relevant characteristics of MSI-H tumors which could lead to specific responses to some conventional chemotherapy or novel targeted therapy agents.
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