New Prediction Models for HNPCC

No clinical criteria for diagnosing hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) are perfectly sensitive and specific. The Amsterdam criteria, which are probably the best known, have reasonable specificity but lack sensitivity. The Bethesda guidelines are more sensitive and are used to determine whether tumors should be tested for microsatellite instability. In a previous study, researchers evaluated a new prediction model for mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes, using both clinical variables and immunostaining data (Journal Watch Gastroenterology Jul 21 2006). Now, investigators describe two more prediction models and their clinical validation.

The first model is called PREMM_1,2 (Prediction of Mutations in MLH1 and MSH2) and is acce…