[Microsatellite instability in gastric carcinoma and intestinal metaplasia].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of microsatellite instability (MSI) in the carcinogenesis and development of gastric cancer (GC).


METHODS
MSI was examined in 50 surgically resected gastric cancer specimens and 15 intestinal metaplasia specimens using PCR based methods.


RESULTS
MSI was detected in 27/50 of GC and 3/15 of intestinal metaplasia at one or more loci. MSI was positive in all three cases of early GC. The incidence of MSI in well differentiated GC (86.6%) was significantly higher than that in poorly differentiated GC (P < 0.05). The frequency of MSI in intestinal type of GC (77.8%) was significantly higher than that in the diffused type (40%, P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between MSI and age, sex, size, location, lymph node metastasis or clinical stage of GC.


CONCLUSIONS
MSI is an early molecular marker in the carcinogenesis of GC and may play an important role in the development of GC.
Zhou
X
X
Department of Gastroenterology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038.
Fang
D
D
Luo
Y
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000235:genetics; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*