A promising clinical trial result showing that some Lynch Syndrome associated cancer risks can be reduced by over 60%!

A small but impressive immunotherapy drug (dostarlimab) trial of stage II or III rectal cancer patients whose tumors had dMMR (mismatch repair-deficient)/high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Joan Rush represented the Foundation and was featured in a segment on the Mile High Living show, a local news show based in Denver, CO. Joan talked about the foundation, Jacqueline’s story, and the importance of knowing you have Lynch Syndrome. She also shared how easy it is to get tested for Lynch Syndrome.

Unprecedented: This preliminary study showed complete responses in 100% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors - a hallmark of Lynch Syndrome.

We’re only a few weeks away from our big Tough Mudder event! While we are excited to challenge ourselves on the course, the real challenge begins NOW. We’re challenging ourself to raise $5,000 to go towards Lynch Syndrome research and to further provide support, education and resources to Lynch Syndrome carriers and their families.

According to an article published by the National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Prevention, “first-ever vaccines for the prevention of colorectal and other cancers in patients at high genetic risk for these malignancies is expected to start its early phase safety and immunogenicity trial in the first quarter of 2022.”

In the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 2020 Annual Report, they feature several researchers who are growing tumors from scratch in order to solve stubborn cancer mysteries.

As of May 18, 2021, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) formally recommended reducing the colorectal screening age to 45 for those at average risk of colorectal cancer!

As of April 5, a new federal bill requires all doctor notes and test results be available to patients virtually and free of charge. This is great news and a welcome to change for those receiving complex diagnosis.

Among those, Lynch Syndrome and BRCA gene mutations were seen most often.

One of the most important ways for Lynch Syndrome carriers to prevent colorectal cancer is getting a colonoscopy every year to find and remove polyps before they have an opportunity to become cancerous.

Those taking aspirin for at least 2 years had a meaningful reduction in colorectal cancer risk and the protective effect lasts for many years.

There was a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival, progression free survival, and objective response rate compared to chemotherapy in the phase 3 KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 Trial.

Checkpoint Inhibitors (PD-1 or PD-L1) a type of immunotherapy are an important tool in fighting advanced colorectal cancer tumors caused by Lynch Syndrome.

You should always check first with your oncologist/physician to determine if it is safe for you to get the vaccine.

Prior to the advent of COVID-19, more than a decade’s worth of research & discovery set the stage for timely development of these COVID-19 vaccines—a large part of this research had been focused on mRNA cancer vaccines. With the success of the COVID-19 vaccines, we now know that this approach is a viable option for cancer vaccines and data suggests it is an effective approach.

Joan Rush, President, had the opportunity to team up with Heather Tomlinson, Dir. of Clinical Diagnostics, Promega Corporation to discuss the importance of knowing if you have Lynch Syndrome and MSI tumor testing to guide your cancer treatment. Joan shares Jacqueline’s story as well as the Foundation’s mission.

In June 2020, the FDA approved the immunotherapy drug Keytruda as the first-line (initial) treatment instead of chemotherapy for patients with inoperable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer.

A recent study conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology was completed and showed no evidence of increased risk of breast cancer in women with Lynch Syndrome identified by multigene panel testing.

Johns Hopkins University currently recruiting participants for Nous-209 Genetic Vaccine for the treatment of Microsatellite Unstable Solid Tumors.