Gene expression profiles and microsatellite instability in uterine corpus endometrioid adenocarcinoma

Aim:  We examined corpus cancer to identify whether there are distinctive patterns of global gene expression and microsatellite instability, and to gain molecular understanding of its carcinogenesis and progression. Methods:  Thirty endometrioid corpus cancer tissue samples (21 of G1 and nine of G2/3) were analyzed by cDNA microarray based on 637 cancer-associated genes and by a polymerase chain reaction method for microsatellite instability. Result:  Of the 30 cases, 10 (33%) were recognized as having microsatellite instability. In all cases, four genes were overexpressed and five genes were underexpressed. There were six microsatellite instability-specific overexpressed or high-frequency genes and 15 underexpressed or low-frequency genes. Furthermore, we identified several genes by grade analysis. Conclusions:  These results may be useful resources for the development of diagnostic assays, prognostic factors, or therapeutic targets for corpus endometrioid cancer.