Incidence of microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer patients in the Singaporean population.

• Main Author: Lau, Sein Yan.
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52917
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Introduction: HNPCC is a familial tumour which is autosomal dominantly inherited. It is caused by mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes and this increases the probability of endometrial cancer associated with HNPCC. MSI occurs when DNA mismatch repair proteins are defective and this causes alterations in microsatellite sequences which causes MSI. Aim: Our project aimed to work towards finding out the incidence of MSI in the Singaporean population in HNPCC related gynaecological tumours, in particular, endometrial and ovarian cancer. 4 mismatch repair proteins, MSH2, MSH6, MLH1 and PMS2 were investigated for microsatellite instability. Results: Endometrial tumours had 38.2% MSI, ovarian tumours 0% and synchronous tumours 28.6%. The significance of MSI status and age, stage and grade were obtained. Correlation showed no statistical significance. Conclusion: Our study shows that there are a significant number of endometrial cancer (38.2%) patients with MSI. MSH6 was the prevalent marker that was lost (42.6%). This is an important decrease and more research could be done to investigate this loss. Proper assessment of endometrial cancer in the local setting is required for effective screening and treatment strategies.