Deficient mismatch repair and advanced colorectal cancer
2009

Deficient mismatch repair in advanced colorectal cancer

Sample size: 515 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Koopman M, Kortman G A M, Mekenkamp L, Ligtenberg M J L, Hoogerbrugge N, Antonini N F, Punt C J A, van Krieken J H J M

Primary Institution: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre

Hypothesis

What is the incidence and outcome of sporadic deficient mismatch repair in advanced colorectal cancer?

Conclusion

Deficient mismatch repair is rare in patients with sporadic advanced colorectal cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • Deficient mismatch repair was found in only 18 (3.5%) out of 515 evaluable patients.
  • The median overall survival for proficient mismatch repair patients was 17.9 months.
  • Patients with deficient mismatch repair caused by hypermethylation of the MLH1 promoter had a median overall survival of 7.4 months.

Takeaway

This study found that only a small number of patients with advanced colorectal cancer have a problem with their DNA repair system, which is usually linked to better outcomes in earlier stages.

Methodology

Data were collected from a phase III study involving 820 advanced colorectal cancer patients, examining mismatch repair protein expression and microsatellite instability.

Limitations

The low incidence of deficient mismatch repair does not allow for meaningful conclusions about treatment outcomes.

Participant Demographics

Median age of participants was 63 years, with a range from 31 to 81 years.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI 16.2–18.8 for overall survival in proficient mismatch repair patients.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6604867

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