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Classification of Colorectal Cancer in Molecular Subtypes by Immunohistochemistry

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1765))

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease, which can be categorized into distinct consensus molecular subtypes (CMSs). These subtypes differ in both clinical as well as biological properties. The gold-standard classification strategy relies on genome-wide expression data, which hampers widespread implementation. Here we describe an immunohistochemical (IHC) Mini Classifier, a practical tool that, in combination with microsatellite instability testing, delivers objective and accurate scoring to classify CRC patients into the main molecular disease subtypes. It is a robust immunohistochemical-based assay containing four specific stainings (FRMD6, ZEB1, HTR2B, and CDX2) in combination with cytokeratin. We also describe an online tool for classification of individual samples based on scoring parameters of these stainings.

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Acknowledgment

L.V. is supported by a KWF grant (UVA2014-7245), a Worldwide Cancer Research grant (14-1164), a Maag Lever Darm Stichting grant (MLDS-CDG 14-03), the European Research Council (ERG-StG 638193), The New York Stem Cell Foundation and a Vidi grant (917.15.308) from NWO. L.V. is also a New York Stem Cell Foundation – Robertson Investigator. 

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Correspondence to Louis Vermeulen .

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ten Hoorn, S., Trinh, A., de Jong, J., Koens, L., Vermeulen, L. (2018). Classification of Colorectal Cancer in Molecular Subtypes by Immunohistochemistry. In: Beaulieu, JF. (eds) Colorectal Cancer. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1765. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7765-9_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7765-9_11

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7764-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7765-9

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