AUTHOR=Heinimann Karl 

TITLE=Toward a Molecular Classification of Colorectal Cancer: The Role of Microsatellite Instability Status

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2013

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2013.00272

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2013.00272

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Microsatellite instability (MSI) is the molecular hallmark of DNA mismatch repair deficiency. Since its initial description in colorectal cancer (CRC) in 1993 and its association with Lynch syndrome, the most common inherited cancer predisposition world-wide, accumulating evidence suggests that MSI status may also be of concrete prognostic and predictive value in the management of sporadic CRC. This mini review aims at providing a concise survey of the molecular basis and the multifaceted role(s) of MSI status in today’s clinical practice.</p>