Microsatellite instability in hematological malignancies

Abstract

The genome of colorectal carcinomas displaying pronounced microsatellite instability codes for an extraordinarily high number of mutated proteins that elicit tumor-specific cellular immune responses. We have recently demonstrated that leukemic cells are also vulnerable to T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens produced in the context of microsatellite instability. This finding extends our understanding of secondary and therapy-related leukemogenesis, linking it to the mutual interaction between immune control and escape.

Keywords: :

• microsatellite instability
• tumor-specific antigen
• immunosurveillance
• leukemogenesis
• secondary leukemia
• therapy-related AML/MDS

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.