MEM: An Algorithm for the Reliable Detection of Microsatellite Instability (MSI) on a Small NGS Panel in Colorectal Cancer.

ABSTRACT: MEM is an NGS algorithm that uses Expectation-Maximisation to detect the presence of unstable alleles from the NGS sequences of five microsatellites (BAT-25, BAT-26, NR-21, NR-24 and NR-27). The purpose of this study was to compare the MEM algorithm with a reference PCR method (MSI-PCR) and MisMatch Repair protein immunohistochemistry (MMR-IHC). FFPE colorectal cancer samples from 146 patients were analysed in parallel by MSI-PCR and NGS using the MEM algorithm. MMR-IHC results were available for 133 samples. Serial dilutions of an MSI positive control were performed to estimate the limit of detection. the MEM algorithm was able to detect unstable alleles of each microsatellite with up to a 5% allelic fraction. Of the 146 samples, 28 (19.2%) were MSI in MSI-PCR. MEM algorithm results were in perfect agreement with those of MSI-PCR, at both MSI status and individual microsatellite level (Cohen's kappa = 1). A high level of agreement was noted between MSI-PCR/MEM algorithm results and MMR-IHC results (Cohen's kappa = 0.931). the MEM algorithm can determine the MSI status of colorectal cancer samples on a small NGS panel, using only five microsatellites approved by international guidelines, and can be combined with screening for targetable mutations.

SUBMITTER: Herbreteau G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8394433 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature