The sequence & timing of cancer development in LS: paving the way for cancer prevention strategies

Sanjeevani Arora – CGA-IGC Research Committee

Lynch syndrome (LS) is characterized by Mismatch Repair (MMR) deficiency, which increases the risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers. MMR deficiency occurs due to germline mutations in MMR genes or somatic epigenetic silencing of MLH1, resulting in errors when DNA is copied in the cells. However, the relationship between MMR deficient crypt foci (MMR-dcf) and cancer initiation in LS and their interaction with the immune system are not well understood.

To address this knowledge gap, Dr. Kevin Monahan, from St. Mark’s Hospital and Imperial College in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a study to investigate the early interactions between the MMR-dcf and the immune microenvironment in the bowel of LS patients. Thei