Microsatellite allelotyping of chinese nasopharyngeal carcinomas

Background: Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) specimens were analyzed by microsatellite allelotyping to evaluate their usefulness as biomarkers for cancer detection. Materials and Methods: A panel of eight microsatellite markers localized to chromosomes 3p, 6p, 9p, 11q and 14q were used to study 47 specimens. Results: A moderately low loss of heterozygosity (LOH) frequency (8% to 35%) was observed; 23 (49%) specimens showed LOH with at least one marker while microsatellite instability (MSI) was detected in 10 specimens (21%). Conclusion: Poor survival was significantly associated with LOH detected by a chromosome 3 marker. Interestingly, tumors with multiple genetic alterations were significantly associated with earlier staging.link_to_subscribed_fulltex