Current Microsatellite Stability Results in Colon Cancer

This is a prospective, multicenter observational study designed to evaluate the distribution and clinical relevance of microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR) subtypes in patients undergoing curative colon cancer surgery across Turkey. The study will run between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, and is being conducted to address gaps in national data on MSI frequency and subtype patterns, which have critical prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) leads to genetic instability and is commonly associated with high levels of microsatellite instability (MSI-H). This condition results from the loss of expression in key MMR proteins-MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6-and is linked to distinct tumor behaviors, including:

• Improved overall survival compared to MMR-proficient tumors
• Reduced risk of nodal and distant metastases
• Increased resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and potential sensitivity to oxaliplatin
• Favorable response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, including neoadjuvant immunotherapy in selected patients with MSI-H/dMMR tumors

The primary objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and anatomical distribution of dMMR in colon cancer.

The secondary objective is to assess how frequently MSI status is reported in preoperative endoscopic biopsies.

The tertiary objective is to compare 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) across three subtypes:

• MLH1/PMS2 loss
• MSH2/MSH6 loss
• Sporadic cases

Study Procedures:

Participating Centers:

Hospitals with an annual volume of >30 curative colon cancer surgeries will be invited to participate. Each center will assign a local principal investigator and sign a collaboration agreement.

Data Collection:

Demographic, clinical, surgical, histopathological, and molecular data will be collected. Specific variables include:

• Age, sex
• Clinical TNM stage
• Tumor size and location
• MSI status in both biopsy and resection specimens
• Neoadjuvant treatment details
• Histologic subtype and grade
• Number of retrieved and metastatic lymph nodes
• Presence of lymphatic, perineural, and venous invasion
• Tumor budding
• Immunohistochemical expression of MMR proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6)

Eligibility:

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Signed informed consent
• Undergoing curative colon cancer surgery between study dates
• Routine MSI reporting available on biopsy and/or surgical specimens
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Non-adenocarcinoma malignancies of the colon
• Rectal cancers

Sample Size Assessment:

To detect differences among three dMMR subtypes in terms of 3-year DFS and OS, a power analysis (Cohen's f = 0.25, α = 0.05, power = 80%) indicates a need for at least 122 dMMR patients. Assuming a dMMR prevalence of 8-15% and factoring in a 10% dropout rate, the total sample size is set at 1,500 patients.

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Registry Quality and Data Management Plan (if registry or similar infrastructure is used):

• Data Validation \& Quality Assurance:

A centralized data monitoring team will oversee data quality. Double entry and logic checks will be applied to ensure internal consistency, and site investigators will be asked to verify a random subset of submitted data.

• Source Data Verification:

Data will be cross-checked with local hospital records or pathology databases, particularly for key variables like MSI status, protein loss, and survival endpoints.

• Data Dictionary:

A comprehensive data dictionary will define each variable, data source, coding conventions (e.g., WHO-DD or MedDRA), and applicable clinical thresholds (e.g., tumor size cutoffs, lymph node positivity).

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

SOPs will be established for:

• Patient recruitment and consent
• Data entry and verification
• Histopathologic data review
• MSI/MMR testing techniques
• Management of missing or ambiguous data
• Adverse event reporting (if applicable)
• Periodic internal audits
• Plan for Missing Data:

Incomplete entries will be flagged and queried back to the site. Predefined rules will classify data as "missing," "not applicable," or "unavailable." Imputation will not be used for primary endpoints.

• Statistical Analysis Plan:

Descriptive statistics will summarize the distribution of dMMR and MSI status by tumor localization and other clinicopathological factors. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test will compare categorical variables.

• Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests will compare DFS and OS between subtypes.
• Multivariable Cox regression models will adjust for confounders such as age, sex, stage, and treatment modality.
• MSI reporting frequency in biopsy specimens will be expressed as percentages and evaluated by hospital characteristics.

Dissemination Plan:

Study results will be submitted to national and international congresses and peer-reviewed journals. Aggregated, de-identified datasets may be shared upon request with institutional permission.