Clinical Trial: Chromoendoscopy to Decrease the Risk of Colorectal Neoplasia in Lynch Syndrome

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Chromoendoscopy in Lynch Syndrome Patients

Brief Summary: Lynch syndrome (LS), or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is a hereditary disorder predisposing for colorectal cancer. To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, patients undergo colonoscopy every 1-2 years. Chromoendoscopy is relatively new technique which improves the detection of adenomas, the precursor lesions of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to determine whether chromoendoscopy, including polypectomy of all detected lesions, reduces the development of colorectal neoplasia and the need for colectomy in LS patients.

Detailed Summary:

Lynch syndrome (LS), or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an autosomally dominantly inherited disorder that accounts for 1-2 % of colorectal cancer cases. LS is caused by germline genomic alterations in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6 and hPMS2. The lifetime incidence of colorectal cancer is 20-75 % in these mutation carriers. Individuals with LS-associated colorectal cancer differ from those with sporadic disease in several ways: the tumours are diagnosed at an earlier age; the majority of tumours is located in the proximal colon; there is an increased risk of developing synchronous or metachronous colorectal cancers and the prognosis relatively favourable compared to sporadic cases. It is generally accepted that LS associated colorectal cancers develop along the adenoma-carcinoma sequence as in sporadic cases. There is evidence suggesting that the adenoma-carcinoma sequence is accelerated in LS patients as compared to the general population.

Colonoscopic screening and subsequent removal of polyps at a 3-year interval in asymptomatic at-risk members of LS families has shown to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer and improve overall survival. However, within such an interval in surveillance programs, interval cancers have been observed. It is therefore currently recommended that MMR gene mutation carriers should be kept under surveillance by regular colonoscopy every 1-2 years beginning at the age of 20-25 or 5-10 years younger than the earliest affected family member.

LS adenomas are predominantly located in the proximal colon and frequently carry villous architecture and high-grade dysplasia, markers that are associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Even in LS adenomas smaller than 5-7 mm in size, high-grade dysplasia can be encountered. There
Sponsor: University Medical Center Groningen

Current Primary Outcome: The primary endpoints of the study are the number of adenomas, advanced adenomas, carcinomas at baseline and the number of the number of adenomas, advanced adenomas, carcinomas and the number of patients requiring colectomy at 2-year follow-up. [ Time Frame: 2 years ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: The secondary endpoints of the study are the number of complications from colonoscopy at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. [ Time Frame: baseline and 2 years ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University Medical Center Groningen

Dates:
Date Received: May 18, 2009
Date Started: September 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 12, 2016
Last Verified: May 2016