Abstract / Summary
Lynch syndrome (also called HNPCC, for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) is a genetic condition that raises the risk of colon cancer and of several other cancers. It is caused by an inherited fault in one of the genes of the DNA mismatch repair system (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, or EPCAM, which silences MSH2), the system that corrects copying errors in DNA. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner: a carrier parent has a one in two chance of passing the mutation to each child. According to Wikipedia, carriers make up about 0.35% of the population (1 in 279) and about 3% of colorectal cancers. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is estimated at 52-58%, with a mean age at diagnosis of 44 to 61 years; the lifetime risk of endometrial cancer is estimated at 25-60%. Other cancers are associated: stomach, ovary, small bowel, pancreas, urinary and biliary tracts, brain, skin. Surveillance relies notably on regular colonoscopy, starting at age 20 to 25 for MLH1 and MSH2, and at age 35 for MSH6 and PMS2. This article explores, with the help of an AI, the effect that therapeutic helminths could have on this risk of colorectal cancer. Please read its content as hypotheses to explore and verify, not as established conclusions. Any correction is welcome: publications[a]lemarois.com.