Causes and consequences of microsatellite instability in gastric carcinogenesis

This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of microsatellite instability (MSI) in gastric cancer (GC) as well as on the clinic, pathologic and molecular consequences of the MSI phenotype. Additionally, current therapeutic strategies for GC and their applicability in the MSI subset are also discussed.

 

Authors and Affiliations:

Sérgia Velho*, Maria Sofia Fernandes*, Marina Leite, Ceu Figueiredo, Raquel Seruca
 * authors contributed equally to this paper

Sérgia Velho, Maria Sofia Fernandes, Marina Leite, Ceu Figueiredo, Raquel Seruca, IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Ceu Figueiredo, Raquel Seruca, Department of Pathology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

 

Abstract:

Loss of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) function, due to somatic or germline epi/genetic alterations of MMR genes leads to the accumulation of numerous mutations across the genome, creating a molecular phenotype known as microsatellite instability (MSI). In gastric cancer (GC), MSI occurs in about 15% to 30% of the cases. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of MSI in GC as well as on the clinic, pathologic and molecular consequences of the MSI phenotype. Additionally, current therapeutic strategies for GC and their applicability in the MSI subset are also discussed.

 

Journal: World Journal of Gastroenterology

 

Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4248186/