MSI-High vs TMB-High: Two Different Tumour Biomarkers
MSI-high and tumour-mutational-burden-high are both tumour biomarkers, but they measure different phenomena. MSI assesses instability at repetitive DNA regions; TMB counts mutations across a defined amount of sequenced DNA.
Quick Answer
MSI-high and tumour-mutational-burden-high are both tumour biomarkers, but they measure different phenomena. MSI assesses instability at repetitive DNA regions; TMB counts mutations across a defined amount of sequenced DNA.
Two Measurements
MSI can be assessed by molecular methods or inferred from mismatch-repair protein testing. TMB is assay-dependent and usually reported as mutations per megabase.
Why They Cannot Be Substituted
An MSI-high tumour may have high mutation burden, but the concepts and thresholds are distinct. Panel size, bioinformatic pipeline and tumour type affect TMB results.
Key Takeaways
- ·MSI and TMB measure different features.
- ·Assay and threshold are part of the result.
- ·Neither biomarker should be inferred from the other.
Frequently asked questions
What is the key idea in MSI-High vs TMB-High: Two Different Tumour Biomarkers?
MSI-high and tumour-mutational-burden-high are both tumour biomarkers, but they measure different phenomena. MSI assesses instability at repetitive DNA regions; TMB counts mutations across a defined amount of sequenced DNA.
What should be kept with the result or mechanism?
MSI and TMB measure different features. Assay and threshold are part of the result. Neither biomarker should be inferred from the other.
References
Continue Reading
The CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP)
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Mismatch-Repair Protein Loss Patterns: What IHC Can Show
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DNA Mismatch Repair and Lynch Syndrome
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