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Microsatellite instability in breast cancer
E B Rush1, J E Calvano, K J van Zee
1Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Annals of Surgical Oncology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Microsatellite instability, a mutation in repetitive DNA sequences, was found in 28.2% of primary breast tumors. This finding suggests microsatellite instability may contribute to breast cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Microsatellites are repetitive DNA sequences prone to expansion or contraction mutations.
- Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a potential mechanism in carcinogenesis.
- The incidence of MSI in primary breast carcinoma was investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of microsatellite instability in primary breast cancer.
- To explore the potential role of MSI in breast carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide/urea gel electrophoresis were employed.
- 46 pairs of normal and primary breast tumor samples were analyzed.
- Seven distinct microsatellite loci, including five on chromosome 17, were examined.
Main Results:
- Microsatellite instability was detected in 13 out of 46 tumors (28.2%).
- Five tumors (10.8%) exhibited instability at two or more loci.
- Four tumors (8.7%) showed instability at different loci on separate chromosomes; five tumors displayed loss of heterozygosity.
Conclusions:
- Microsatellite instability is a feature of primary breast cancer.
- MSI may play a role in the development of breast cancer, though the exact mechanism requires further study.