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. 2005 Jan;54(1):103-8.
doi: 10.1136/gut.2003.034579.

Low level microsatellite instability may be associated with reduced cancer specific survival in sporadic stage C colorectal carcinoma

C M Wright  1 , O F Dent, R C Newland, M Barker, P H Chapuis, E L Bokey, J P Young, B A Leggett, J R Jass, G A Macdonald
Affiliations

Low level microsatellite instability may be associated with reduced cancer specific survival in sporadic stage C colorectal carcinoma

C M Wright et al. Gut. 2005 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancers (CRCs) may be categorised according to the degree of microsatellite instability (MSI) exhibited, as MSI-high (MSI-H), MSI-low (MSI-L), or microsatellite stable (MSS). MSI-H status confers a survival advantage to patients with sporadic CRC.

Aims: To determine if low levels of MSI are related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of sporadic stage C CRC.

Patients: A total of 255 patients who underwent resection for sporadic stage C CRC were studied. No patient received chemotherapy. Minimum follow up was five years.

Methods: DNA extracted from archival malignant and non-malignant tissue was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using a panel of 11 microsatellites. MSI-H was defined as instability at > or =40% of markers, MSS as no instability, and MSI-L as instability at >0% but <40% of markers. Patients with MSI-H CRC were excluded from analysis as they have previously been shown to have better survival.

Results: Thirty three MSI-L and 176 MSS CRCs were identified. There was no difference in biological characteristics or overall survival of MSI-L compared with MSS CRC but MSI-L was associated with poorer cancer specific survival (hazard ratio 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.1-3.6)).

Conclusions: Sporadic MSI-L and MSS CRCs have comparable clinicopathological features. Further studies are required to assess the impact of MSI-L on prognosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kaplan-Meier survival curves (overall survival) for sporadic clinicopathological stage C microsatellite instability (MSI) low and MSI stable colorectal carcinomas.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan-Meier survival curves (cancer specific survival) for sporadic clinicopathological stage C microsatellite instability (MSI) low and MSI stable colorectal carcinomas.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histogram showing the degree of microsatellite instability in the 33 microsatellite instability low colorectal carcinomas.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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