Diagnosis of molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer using immunohistochemistry

Abstract

Colorectal cancer ranks third in the morbidity structure among all malignant tumors and includes sporadic and hereditary neoplasms. Cancer genome sequencing has revealed numerous mutation variants that determine the ways colorectal carcinoma progresses. The course, prognosis, and management strategy of the disease vary greatly depending on the subtype of a molecular tumor. This literature review discusses the latest data on the variants of colorectal cancer oncogenesis and presents the phenotypic model classification based on them. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is suggested for determining the individual tumor characteristics. The article also clarifies the Bethesda panel used to detect microsatellite instability, markers for Lynch syndrome, and a list of IHC markers for determining the phenotypic model of colorectal carcinoma. Keywords: colorectal cancer, phenotypic models, consensus molecular subtypes (CMS), immunohisto-chemistry, Bethesda panel, Lynch syndrome