The PREDI-LYNCH project, co-led by IRR’s Dr Neil Ryan, has been awarded €13.6 million in funding. Neil will lead the UK component of the project and is responsible for the gynaecological arm of the study. Dr Neil Ryan The ‘Validated non-invasive liquid biopsy tests for cancer PREDIction of LYNCH syndrome’ (PREDI-LYNCH) project aims to improve early detection of Lynch syndrome-associated cancers. Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Missions programme, the project will involve 28 organisations from across Europe, coordinated by Oslo University Hospital and with IRR’s Neil Ryan leading on the the gynaecological cancer work package. Lynch syndrome is a common inherited condition that greatly increases the risk of several cancers, including bowel and womb cancer. Yet most people with it don’t know they have it, and those who do often face invasive and burdensome surveillance. This project is about changing that. By using novel liquid biopsy approaches—testing blood or other body fluids instead of relying on surgical procedures—we aim to create a non-invasive, accessible, and cost-effective way to monitor cancer risk. If we get this right, we can reach more people, detect cancers earlier, and prevent many from ever developing. Dr Neil Ryan The project aims to develop a non-invasive test for early cancer detection in people with Lynch syndrome, using liquid biopsy—testing body fluids instead of removing tissue for analysis. PREDI-LYNCH will combine this approach with artificial intelligence and clinical expertise to build a more efficient detection and prediction model, improving quality of life for at-risk groups and reducing the burden on healthcare systems by enabling earlier treatment. Lynch Syndrome Lynch syndrome is a common inherited condition caused by faults in the mismatch repair (MMR) system—a mechanism in our cells that corrects errors when DNA is copied during cell division. It affects about 1 in 300 people and significantly increases the risk of several cancers, particularly colorectal and endometrial (womb) cancers. Despite this, around 95% of people with Lynch syndrome remain undiagnosed, missing out on preventive measures and early detection strategies. While regular colonoscopy is recommended for bowel cancer surveillance, this is invasive, resource-intensive, and not without risk. For gynaecological cancers—especially endometrial and ovarian—the situation is even more concerning. There are currently no evidence-based, widely implemented surveillance strategies for women with Lynch syndrome. Annual transvaginal ultrasound and endometrial biopsy are sometimes offered, but the evidence for their effectiveness is weak, and procedures are often uncomfortable and invasive. As a result, many women either decline surveillance or undergo burdensome procedures that may not meaningfully reduce cancer risk or mortality. This lack of effective, accessible surveillance means that gynaecological cancers in women with Lynch syndrome can be diagnosed late. The PREDI-LYNCH project is working to change these issues by developing a non-invasive liquid biopsy that uses body fluids, rather than tissue samples, to detect cancer. This has the potential to transform cancer surveillance by offering a more accessible, acceptable, and cost-effective method—particularly in gynaecological care where there is currently no standard surveillance pathway. The project aims to enable rapid and equitable implementation across Europe by ensuring compatibility with a range of healthcare systems. Neil Ryan Neil Ryan is a trainee in Gynaecology Oncology at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. Neil has been invited to sit on several national and international committees including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Genetics Task Force, The British Gynaecological Cancers Society's guideline subcommittee, The European Hereditary Cancer Group, Lynch Syndrome UK's Clinical Advisory group and the Royal Society of Medicine's Obstetrics and Gynaecological committee. Neil is seeking to explore ways to improve the care of women with gynaecological cancer by improving personalised treatments and identifying those at increased risk of cancer. University of Oslo press release Neil Ryan research page Tags CRH Publication date 28 May, 2025
