DNA Mismatch Repair Deficiency Detection in Colorectal Cancer by a New Microsatellite Instability Analysis System

Although microsatellite instability (MSI) is most commonly detected in colorectal cancer (CRC), improvement in MSI analysis method can always help us better assessing MSI phenotypes and gaining useful information in challenging cases. The purpose of current study is to explore whether the ProDx® MSI analysis System (ProDx® MSI) can improve MSI classification in CRC.

We compared the MSI profiles of 97 FFPE samples from CRC patients by ProDx® MSI with Promega MSI analysis System 1.2 and NCI panel. The result is then confirmed by IHC test, which evaluate MMR protein expression. Furthermore, next generation sequencing was performed to double confirm the specimens with discordant results.

Among the total 97 CRC cases, 35 were scored as MSI-High by ProDx® MSI, Promega MSI analysis System 1.2, and NCI panel simultaneously. Three extra MSI-High cases were identified by ProDx® MSI. These three cases were classified as MSI-Low by NCI panel, while two of these as MSI-Low, and 1 as MSS by Promega MSI analysis System 1.2. ProDx® MSI had higher concordance with IHC detection compared with Promega MSI Analysis System 1.2 and NCI panel at 99.0%, 96.9%, and 95.9%, respectively. The ProDx® MSI distinguished MSI status with 100% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity. Our data showed that MSI-High phenotype occurred most frequently in tumor development stage I and stage II.

The colorectal cancer can be classified according to MSI status accurately by ProDx® MSI. More cases with MSI-High feature may be revealed by ProDx® MSI than by previous test systems in colorectal cancer.