Microsatellite instability: a review of what the oncologist should know

The patients with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors recently have been reported that can benefit from immunotherapy, and MSI can be used as a genetic instability of a tumor detection index. However, many studies have shown that there are many heterogeneous phenomena in patients with MSI tumors in terms of immunotherapy, prognosis and chemotherapy sensitivity. Here we mainly review the research results of MSI detection methods, the mechanisms of MSI occurrence and its relationship with related tumors, aiming to make a brief analysis of the current research status of MSI and provide comparable reference and guidance value for further research in this field.

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 2015A050502048, 81541153
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Award: 2018A030310155
• GS
  Guangdong Science and Technology Department

  Awards: 2016B030309002, 2016A050503046, 2016A050503046, 2015A050502048 and 2016B030309002, 2015A050502048