Ohio Colorectal Cancer Prevention Initiative

Lynch Syndrome:

Lynch syndrome (LS), previously known as "hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer", is a hereditary cancer syndrome that causes the majority of hereditary CRC and approximately 3% of all CRC. LS significantly increases the risk for an individual to develop CRC during their lifetime. Individuals with LS also have an increased risk to develop extracolonic cancers, including endometrial, gastric, ovarian, upper urinary tract, small bowel, biliary tract, CNS, and certain types of skin cancer. Tumor studies, including microsatellite instability (MSI) testing and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, provide information regarding characteristic features of LS-associated tumors and can help target genetic testing. Given the hereditary nature of this syndrome, screening all patients who are newly diagnosed with CRC for LS can identify additional individuals who are at high-risk of developing cancer.

Study Aims:

By developing a CRC research infrastructure within the state of Ohio, the OCCPI will achieve the following specific aims:

Establish and implement a statewide universal screening protocol for LS.
Elucidate the prevalence of hereditary CRC in Ohio.
Provide screening recommendations for high-risk individuals with CRC and their families, as well as local access to genetic counseling.
Create a CRC biorepository for future research on the etiology of CRC from the leftover samples of the CRC patients, as well as samples from their relatives.

With the successful implementation of the OCCPI, knowledge will be gained that will facilitate the adoption of a universal screening protocol for LS in Ohio and the creation of a statewide CRC biorepository to be used for additional studies on cancer risks, prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship.

Study Procedures for CRC and EC participants:

You will be asked to donate 2-3 tablespoons of blood.
A small piece of your colorectal or endometrial tumor will be obtained from the hospital where you had your surgery.
You will be asked to contribute your leftover samples (tumor and blood) to the OCCPI biorepository (sample bank) for help with future research. Additionally, CRC participants will be asked to donate a saliva sample to the OCCPI biorepository. The samples will be kept securely in a lab at OSU. Before your samples can be used for research, the people doing the research must get specific approval from the OCCPI Steering Committee and possibly the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of OSU. The IRB is responsible for protecting the participants involved in research studies and making sure all research is done in a safe and ethical manner.
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire which will ask about your age, medical history, family history, lifestyle factors and environmental exposures. It should take about one hour to complete the questionnaire and you can complete it from home.
We will test your tumor for features of LS (MSI, IHC, methylation).
For CRC patients: if your tumor shows features of LS OR you were diagnosed under age 50 OR you have a family history of CRC or endometrial cancer OR you have synchronous or metachronous CRC or endometrial cancer, we will test your blood for the genes that cause LS, as well as other genes that can cause hereditary cancer.
For endometrial cancer patients: if your tumor shows features of LS, we will test your blood for the genes that cause LS, as well as other genes that can cause hereditary cancer.
Some patients may have tumor genetic testing.
If you are found to have LS or another type of hereditary cancer, you will be offered free genetic counseling.
If you are found to have LS, your at-risk relatives will be offered free genetic counseling and genetic testing.

Study Procedures for first-degree relatives (FDR) of the CRC participants:

The FDRs of all of the CRC study participants will be given the opportunity to contribute to the biorepository for future research.

Family Member Consent for Contact forms will be provided to the CRC participant at the time of their enrollment for them to distribute to all of their FDRs (parents, siblings and adult children ≥ 25 years). The FDRs will mail the signed form to OSU.
After obtaining permission to contact the FDRs, OSU will mail them the biorepository consent form and saliva kit to return to the OCCPI biorepository.
The FDRs of the CRC study participants will also be invited to complete the baseline questionnaire.

Length of study:

The LS tumor screening portion of the OCCPI will take 1-4 months.
If applicable, genetic testing results should be ready in an additional 3-6 months.
Overall, your participation in the LS screening portion of the OCCPI is expected to take about 1 year. Most of this time will be spent waiting for results. Your active involvement will take about 15 minutes on the day that you provide consent and about 60 minutes when you complete the questionnaire from home.