MSH2 and MLH1 immunodetection and the prognosis of colon cancer

Int J Oncol. 2001 Nov;19(5):891-5. doi: 10.3892/ijo.19.5.891.

Abstract

MSH2 and MLH1 are proteins involved in DNA reparation. They are mutated in some forms of colon cancer, i.e. hereditary non-polyposis carcinomas and a subset of sporadic carcinomas. We have studied the expression of MSH2 and MLH1 in a retrospective series of 225 colorectal carcinomas by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared to molecular tests of microsatellite instability using amplification by PCR of BAT-25 and BAT-26 repeated sequences and to histoclinical data. Positivity of both proteins was never associated with MSI phenotype. MSH2 and/or MLH1 negative tumors were frequently tumors of the proximal colon; in this subpopulation or proximal tumors, MSH2 and/or MLH1 negativity was associated with a longer disease-free survival.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Aged
  • Base Pair Mismatch*
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Colonic Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / analysis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MLH1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • MSH2 protein, human
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein