Korean researchers 1st in Asia to link Lynch syndrome to gastric cancer

Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital and Cheonan Hospital announced Tuesday that a joint research team from their respective surgery departments has, for the first time in Asia, confirmed that a genetic factor known as Lynch syndrome may be linked to the development of gastric cancer.

Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer syndrome caused by mutations in genes responsible for DNA repair. This results in a condition called microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), which is known to increase the risk of colon and uterine cancers. However, its association with stomach cancer—particularly in Korea, where the disease is highly prevalent—had not been systematically studied until now.

The research team, led by Professors Choi Yoon-young, Yun Jong-hyuk, Song Geum-jong, and Lee Moon-soo, analyzed data from 1,537 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery at the two hospitals between 2011 and 2023. They screened 127 patients (8.3 percent) and conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) on normal tissue samples from 123 individuals. The study identified Lynch syndrome in six patients, representing about 5 percent of those tested.

“This is the first large-scale study in Asia to demonstrate an association between Lynch syndrome and microsatellite instability in gastric cancer,” said Professor Choi. “Our findings suggest that genetic factors should be taken into account in treating gastric cancer patients, and that genetic testing and family history assessments are necessary.”

He added, “We plan to continue research into hereditary gastric cancer based on precision medicine, including early detection through genetic screening and prevention strategies such as Helicobacter pylori eradication for patients' family members.”

The study was published in the latest issue of the Chinese Journal of Cancer Research (Impact Factor: 7.0), a leading oncology journal, and received the Best Investigator Award at the 2024 International Congress of the Korean Surgical Society (ACKSS 2024).