Deciphering the Molecular Underpinning of Ulcerative Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer

Dr. Daniela Hirsch, from the Institute of Pathology at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, discusses her findings on the molecular alterations associated with colorectal cancer in the setting of Ulcerative Colitis. Using aCGH, a 48 gene panel and MSI analysis and IHC for TP53, the author and her team revealed high rate of TP53 mutations and gains in chromosome 5p in these predominantly Microsatellite stable tumors. Phylogenic clues about ontogenesis and field effect are discerned from synchronous tumors. Associated article: Molecular characterization of ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal carcinomas https://www.nature.com/articles/s41379-020-00722-5