Lynch Syndrome, Lifestyle Habits and Biomarkers

The Lynch Syndrome, Lifestyle Habits and Biomarkers is a large study study entity comprised of several sub studies. It investigates how lifestyle factors and blood-based biomarkers are associated with cancer risk among individuals carrying Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in DNA mismatch repair genes and is associated with an elevated risk of several cancer types.

The study focuses on the role of physical activity, nutrition, and circulating biomarkers in cancer risk prediction. Research data include questionnaire-based information, blood samples, and registry-derived clinical data and a substudies, which also include laboratory assessments. Blood samples are analysed for circulating cell-free non-coding RNAs and metabolic biomarkers using high-throughput sequencing and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The overarching goal is to develop prospective cancer risk prediction models and improve understanding of the biological and behavioural factors that contribute to cancer development.

The research programme is complemented by the AgeCanLS and HoCa subprojects, which investigate the interactions between ageing, immune function, hormonal regulation, and lifestyle factors among individuals affected by Lynch syndrome. Together, these studies generate new knowledge on cancer prevention, personalised risk assessment, and the biological and behavioural determinants of healthy ageing.

Funding
State Research Funding allocated by the Eastern Finland Collaborative Area (2025)
Central Finland Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation (2025)
Relander Foundation (2024–2025)
K. Albin Johansson Foundation (2023)
European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–2024)
Mary and Georg C. Ehrnrooth Foundation (2023)
Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation (2021)

Research group
Principal Investigators
Eija Laakkonen, Associate Professor, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä
Tiina Jokela, Research Director, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, University of Jyväskylä

Minta Kärkkäinen, PhD Researcher, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä
Maiju Saari, PhD Researcher, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, University of Jyväskylä
Henna Littunen, PhD Researcher, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä

Collaborators
Tampere University, Professor Toni Seppälä and his research group
HUS Group
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland, Research professor Jukka-Pekka Mecklin and Research Expert Kirsi Pylvänäinen
Finnish Lynch Syndrome Registry
Researchers in the Laakkonen and Jokela research groups

Project website