Scientists are creating a vaccine to teach the immune system to intercept a form of colon cancer before it transitions to a tumor. 

The Associated Press reported that about three potential Lynch syndrome vaccines are in development, including two in early clinical trials in the U.S. and a third in Britain.

<!–>

Lynch syndrome is a gene passed from a parent that puts them at very high risk of colorectal cancer and more susceptible to certain other cancers.

–>

<!–>

Potential vaccines to stop gene-caused cancer

–>

Why you should care:

<!–>

In a first-step study, a Houston doctor and 44 other Lynch syndrome carriers tested a vaccine made by Swiss biotech Nouscom that teaches the immune system to detect abnormalities in Lynch-caused precancers.  

–>

Referencing the MD Anderson team reported in Nature Medicine, The Associated Press noted that this amped up tumor-eliminating T cells and a year later, colonoscopies showed fewer precancerous growths and no advanced polyps. 

<!–>

RELATED: Colorectal cancer: Symptoms and what causes it

–>

Additionally, Oxford University researchers are starting initial testing of a similar approach to attack Lynch-spurred precancers, a vaccine made by Massachusetts-based Moderna using the mRNA technology behind its COVID-19 shot. 

<!–>

And scientists are awaiting results from a slightly larger study comparing California-based ImmunityBio’s Tri-Ad5 vaccine, which flags some different cancer markers, to a placebo.

–>

Is Lynch syndrome linked to a rise in young adult colon cancer?

<!–>

Dig deeper:

–>

Roughly 158,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the U.S. annually, most of them over 50 years old, and cases in younger adults are rising. 

<!–>

RELATED: Prostate cancer – symptoms, risk factors, and treatment

–>

Lynch syndrome affects about 1 in 279 people. For the average person, U.S. guidelines call for routine colorectal cancer screening — with a colonoscopy or other kinds of tests — to begin at age 45. 

<!–>

However, at any age, it’s recommended to get a checkup for symptoms like blood in stool or rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of stool that lasts more than a few days; unintended weight loss; and cramps or abdominal pain.

–>

<!–>

 

–> <!–>

HealthScience