MSI-H
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Microsatellite instability-high |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MSI-H stands for Microsatellite instability-high, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
Tumor feature in which repetitive DNA sequences (microsatellites) vary widely in length because the mismatch repair system is broken. It occurs in about 15 percent of colorectal cancers and many endometrial cancers, and predicts strong responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Example: MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer: first-line pembrolizumab per KEYNOTE-177.
Usage notes
In 2017 pembrolizumab became the first cancer drug approved by the FDA based on a biomarker regardless of tumor location (a tissue-agnostic approval) for MSI-H or mismatch repair-deficient cancers. A 2022 study of dostarlimab in mismatch repair-deficient rectal cancer reported complete responses in all treated patients, allowing them to avoid surgery. MSI-H tumors may reflect inherited Lynch syndrome.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- MDS – Myelodysplastic syndrome
- mets – Metastases
- MGUS – Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
- MM – Multiple myeloma
- MPN – Myeloproliferative neoplasm
- MRD – Minimal residual disease
- NCCN – National Comprehensive Cancer Network
- NCI – National Cancer Institute
- NED – No evidence of disease
- NET – Neuroendocrine tumor
- NGS – Next-generation sequencing
- NHL – Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.