At a Glance
- A phase 1b/2 trial of a novel vaccine for Lynch syndrome carriers showed a safety profile and a measurable immune response lasting at least a year.
- 45 healthy participants saw fewer precancerous lesions and no advanced tumors after vaccination.
- Police officer Kevin Heyink, 48, reports three consecutive clear colonoscopies following the vaccine.
- Why it matters: The study offers a potential preventive tool for a group at up to 80% higher colorectal cancer risk.
Kevin Heyink’s story is one of loss, resilience, and hope. After watching family members die from cancer in their 30s and 40s, he turned to science for answers. Now, a new vaccine trial is giving him-and others-an unprecedented chance to stay cancer-free.
A Family Tragedy
Kevin’s father, a carrier of Lynch syndrome, discovered his genetic condition in 2009 after a thorough family history review. Lynch syndrome, a hereditary disorder, dramatically raises the risk of several cancers before age 50, especially colorectal cancer.
Since about age 20, Kevin has undergone annual colonoscopies and endoscopies every other year. When he entered his 30s, the screenings revealed precancerous growths-polyps or adenomas-that were removed each time.
He says the routine takes a physical toll, but the mental strain is even more unsettling:
> “There is a certain level of mental stress that it takes,” he told Cameron R. Hayes. “Especially as I get older, and now that my brothers have had cancer, and a young one has passed away from it, it’s quite anxiety-provoking,” he added.
He explains the risk to his four children, telling them it can be a matter of prayer, yet he knows the weight of constant vigilance.
Lynch Syndrome: A Pan-Cancer Risk
Lynch syndrome affects roughly 1 million carriers worldwide, according to Dr. Eduardo Vilar Sanchez, a professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. While colorectal cancer is the most common, the condition also elevates the risk for endometrial, ovarian, gastric, bowel, and some brain cancers.
Sanchez notes:
> “Researchers now see the condition as a ‘pan-cancer syndrome’: It also raises the risk for endometrial, ovarian, gastric and bowel cancers, as well as some brain tumors,” he explained.
The rising cancer rates among younger patients may be partly linked to Lynch syndrome, he added.
The Vaccine Trial
In January 2023, Kevin became the first of 45 Lynch syndrome carriers to travel to Houston for the trial. The vaccine, developed by Nouscom, uses a modified, inactive adenovirus-not mRNA-to train the immune system to recognize proteins produced by the defective mismatch repair genes.
Key points of the phase 1b/2 study:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Participants | 45 healthy carriers, all cancer-free at enrollment |
| Primary goal | Assess safety and immune response |
| Design | Participants received three doses (January, May 2024) |
| Follow-up | Colonoscopies before and after the trial |
| Outcome | No advanced tumors; fewer precancerous lesions |
The results, published in Nature Medicine, show that all participants tolerated the vaccine and developed a robust immune response that persisted for at least a year.
Sanchez highlighted:
> “The vaccine is designed to be purely preventive, not therapeutic. If a vaccinated person later develops cancer cells or pre-cancerous lesions, the immune system is already trained to recognize these proteins and eliminate the cancer cells,” he said.
Kevin’s Personal Success
In August 2023, Kevin’s routine colonoscopy returned a clear result for the first time in 20 years. He added that two subsequent colonoscopies-one in January and another in May 2024-also showed no polyps.
> “That’s three in a row that have come back without any pre-cancerous growths, which is just incredible,” he said.
Side effects mirrored those of COVID-19 vaccines: mild redness, soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, and fatigue. After the first dose, Kevin felt exhausted after travel, developed a low-grade fever, and experienced aches the next day. The following two doses were reportedly symptom-free.
Expert Perspective
Sanchez cautioned that more trials are needed for definitive efficacy and regulatory approval. Nevertheless, he called the findings a “message of hope.”
> “It will take more trials to truly understand how effective this vaccine is and to get it approved for wider use,” he said. “But these results are a message of hope that things are moving forward.”
He praised the enthusiasm of participants and noted the trial’s rapid recruitment, attributing it to global interest.
Looking Ahead
Kevin views his participation as a way to give back. He hopes the vaccine will eventually be available for his children, nieces, and nephews.
> “It’s really important for the next generation,” he said. “And it’s reassuring to know this may be an option for them, and they won’t have to worry about developing cancer halfway through their lives.”
He attributes his journey to faith:
> “I attribute all of this to the work of God. He’s led me on this path, he’s given me this opportunity,” he added.
The study’s promise could reshape Lynch syndrome management, turning a lifelong risk into a manageable, preventable condition.
Key Takeaways
- Lynch syndrome carriers face an up to 80% higher colorectal cancer risk.
- A new adenovirus-based vaccine shows safety and a durable immune response in a phase 1b/2 trial.
- Participants, including Kevin Heyink, experienced fewer precancerous lesions and no advanced tumors.
- Side effects were mild and similar to COVID-19 vaccines.
- Further trials are needed, but the results signal a hopeful future for Lynch syndrome prevention.
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