title: Molecular dissection of microsatellite instable colorectal cancer.
abstract: Colorectal cancer was one of the first solid tumors to be classified on the basis of molecular profiling. Microsatellite instability has allowed researchers to distinguish a specific subtype of colorectal cancer that has a clearly identified molecular origin (mismatch repair deficiency), arises on a hereditary and sporadic basis, is linked to a clear clinicopathologic profile, and has prognostic implications. Inconclusive predictive data along with a paucity of targeted drug development have prevented this molecular classification system from being implemented in the clinical setting. New high-throughput genomic data have validated it, thus stressing the fact that it is ready to be applied clinically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of a molecular classification of colorectal cancer in the clinical arena is an unmet promise. Recent results of large-scale genomic analyses have provided confirmation and further insights into the molecular biology of already known colorectal cancer subgroups. The quintessential example is the microsatellite instability subgroup, which has been well characterized during the past 2 decades. Future drug development and clinical research initiatives in colorectal oncology should consider these and other known cancer subgroups and start targeting these selected patient populations.
authors: Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. EVilar@mdanderson.org
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Vilar
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Tabernero
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D043171:Chromosomal Instability; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents