On Friday, May 16, IDIBAPS received a visit from representatives of the association of families affected by Lynch syndrome (AFALynch). Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of developing various types of cancer, primarily colon, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, and small intestine cancer, among others.
The AFALynch delegation had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the research led by Sergi Castellví, head of the IDIBAPS research group Genetic predisposition to gastrointestinal cancer, and Francesc Balaguer, head of the Gastroenterology Department at Hospital Clínic and researcher in the IDIBAPS group Gastrointestinal and pancreatic oncology. They also visited the laboratories and the biobank, where biological samples used in research are stored and processed.
Among other topics, the visitors learned about the STEPUPIORS project. Funded by the European Union, the project aims to establish a European network of institutions dedicated to rectal cancer research. Its mission is to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers in rectal cancer by analyzing the molecular profile of patients at diagnosis and during treatment. Given that colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant disease worldwide, the project’s results aim to support evidence-based patient selection and the adaptation of current treatment protocols, in order to minimize side effects and overall treatment costs, while improving patients' quality of life.
