MSI-low is a real phenomenon that varies in frequency among cancer types

MSI-low is a real phenomenon that varies in frequency among cancer types

(Cancer Research UK-January 14, 2004)

MSI-L is rare in breast carcinomas, but does occur in colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian carcinomas, which are all part of the hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, researchers say.

According to published research from England, "This study assessed whether low-level microsatellite instability (MSI-L) is a phenomenon specific to colorectal cancers or is also present in other tumor types.

"Breast (grade III ductal and lobular), endometrial and ovarian carcinomas, as well as colorectal cancers, were analyzed for MSI-L using eight microsatellite markers," wrote S.E.R. Halford and colleagues, Cancer Research UK, Molecular & Population Genetics Laboratory.

"The markers were selected from a panel that had previously been shown to be sensitive for the detection of MSI-L in colorectal cancers. It was found that MSI-L was present in 30 of 87 (35%) colorectal cancers, two of 59 (3%) grade III breast carcinomas, one of 35 (3%) lobular breast cancers, 16 of 50 (32%) endometrial cancers, and nine of 34 (26%) ovarian cancers," the researchers wrote.

"These results suggest that MSI-L is a very rare occurrence in breast carcinomas, but does occur as a real phenomenon in colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian carcinomas, which are all part of the hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome," the researchers stated.

The researchers concluded: "PCR artifact was also found to masquerade as MSI-L; criteria for the assessment of MSI-L are suggested to eliminate this problem."

Halford and colleagues published their findings in the Journal of Pathology (MSI-low, a real phenomenon which varies in frequency among cancer types. J Pathol, 2003;201(3):389-394).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting S.E.R. Halford, Cancer Research UK, Molecular & Population Genetics Laboratory, 44 Lincolns Inn Field, London WC2A 3PX, UK.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Oncology. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports.