Objective: To investigate whether microsatellite instability (MSI) of gastric cancer and precancerous lesions were existed and its effect.
Methods: Laser microdissection was used. Gastric, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and normal mucosa were collected respectively. Five microsatellite loci were selected and MSI was detected by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results: In the five microsatellite loci REF-positive phenotype, intestinal metaplasia MSI was 20.7%. Dysplasia MSI was 22.4%. Gastric MSI was 47.9%, and there was no MSI in normal gastric mucosa.
Conclusion: MSI gradually increased from precancerous lesions to gastric cancer. The early detection of MSI may be a potential early warning indicator for early diagnosis of gastric cancer.
Keywords: Gastric cancer; denaturing high performance liquid chromatography; laser micro dissection; microsatellite instability; precancerous lesions.