Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract Context.—Microsatellite instability (MSI) due to defective mismatch repair (MMR) genes has been reported in the majority of colorectal tumors from patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome and in 10% to 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers. The identification of cancers associated with MSI requires classical molecular testing as the gold standard. Objective.—The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of immunohistochemistry with antibodies directed against 4 MMR proteins as a screening tool for carcinomas with MSI. Methods.—In this study, 204 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded colorectal carcinomas were examined for MMR protein expression (hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6, and hPMS2) and analyzed for MSI (MSI-H indicates at least 2 of 6 markers affected). These results were correlated with histopathologic parameters. Results.—Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that loss of expression of at least 1 protein was present in 17% of cases. One hundred percent of carcinomas that showed hig...