High Frequency of Microsatellite Instability among Non-Metastatic Gastric Cancer

Khadijeh Fanaei; Iman Salahshourifar; Fereshteh Ameli; Mohsen Esfandbod; Shiva Irani

doi:10.18502/ijhoscr.v16i4.10882

Khadijeh Fanaei Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Iman Salahshourifar Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Fereshteh Ameli Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Esfandbod Department of Hematology and Oncology, Imam Khomeini Hospital complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shiva Irani Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijhoscr.v16i4.10882

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Microsatellite instability; Metastatic; Fragment analysis

Abstract

Background: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is considered a key factor in carcinogenesis and a genetic alteration pattern in many types of cancers such as gastric cancer (GC). Although the role of MSI in colorectal cancer (CRC) is well known, its prognostic impact on GC has not been clearly defined. The assessment of MSI in GC has not been documented in the Iranian population yet. Therefore, this study analyzed the association of MSI status with GC in Iranian patients.

Materials and Methods: We compared the frequency of MSI at 5 loci from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) gastrectomy specimens, between metastatic and non-metastatic cases of GC (N = 60). A panel of five quasi-monomorphic markers and a single dinucleotide marker with linker-based fluorescent primers was used.

Results: MSI was observed in 46.6% of cases, including MSI-high (H) (33.3%) and MSI-Low (L) (13.3%). Moreover, the most unstable and stable markers in our study were NR-21 and BAT-26 accordingly. MSI-H and MSI were seen more frequently in non-metastatic tumors (p= 0.028 and p= 0.019, respectively).

Conclusion: The current study showed MSI status more frequently in non-metastatic GC which may reflect a good prognostic factor in GC like CRC. Although, larger and more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm this statement. A panel consisting of NR-21, BAT-25, and NR-27 mononucleotide markers appears to be reliable and useful markers for detecting MSI in GC in Iranian patients.