1
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Jennings C, Wynn J, Miguel C, Levinson E, Florido ME, White M, Sands CB, Schwartz LA, Daly M, O'Toole K, Buys SS, Glendon G, Hanna D, Andrulis IL, Terry MB, Chung WK, Bradbury A. Mother and Daughter Perspectives on Genetic Counseling and Testing of Adolescents for Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk. J Pediatr 2022; 251:113-119.e7. [PMID: 35777474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the risks, benefits, and utility of testing for adult-onset hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in adolescents and young adults. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated interest in genetic testing of adolescents for adult-onset HBOC genes through semistructured interviews with mothers and adolescents who had previously participated in breast cancer research or had pursued (mothers) clinical testing for HBOC. RESULTS The majority of mothers (73%) and daughters (75%) were interested in the daughter having genetic testing and were motivated by the future medical utility and current social utility of relieving anxiety and allowing them to prepare. Mothers and daughters both reported that approximately 3 years in the future was the best time to test the daughter regardless of the current age of the daughter. Overall, both mothers and daughters expressed the importance of the involvement of the mother to provide educational and emotional support but ultimately it was the daughter's decision to test. Balancing the independence and maturity of the daughter while reinforcing communication and support within the dyad was a prominent theme throughout the interviews. CONCLUSIONS There is interest among some high-risk adolescents and young adults to engage in genetic counseling and undergo testing. Providing pretest and posttest genetic counseling, assessing preferences for parent involvement, and offering psychosocial support may be important if genetic testing for HBOC is offered to adolescents and young adults before age 25 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Jennings
- Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Julia Wynn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Cecilia Miguel
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Elana Levinson
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Michelle E Florido
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Melissa White
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Colleen Burke Sands
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lisa A Schwartz
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mary Daly
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Karen O'Toole
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Saundra S Buys
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Gordon Glendon
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Hanna
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Irene L Andrulis
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary Beth Terry
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY; Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY.
| | - Angela Bradbury
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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2
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Ro V, McGuinness JE, Guo B, Trivedi MS, Jones T, Chung WK, Rao R, Levinson E, Koval C, Russo D, Chilton I, Kukafka R, Crew KD. Association Between Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer and Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Among Multiethnic Women Diagnosed With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e472-e483. [PMID: 34705516 PMCID: PMC9014479 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Increasing usage of multigene panel testing has identified more patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P or LP) variants in low-moderate penetrance genes or variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Our study evaluates the association between genetic test results and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) among patients with breast cancer. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study among women diagnosed with unilateral stage 0-III breast cancer between 2013 and 2020 who underwent genetic testing. We examined whether genetic test results were associated with CPM using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Among 707 racially or ethnically diverse women, most had benign or likely benign (B or LB) variants, whereas 12.5% had P or LP and 17.9% had VUS. Racial or ethnic minorities were twice as likely to receive VUS. Patients with P or LP variants had higher CPM rates than VUS or B or LB (64.8% v 25.8% v 25.9%), and highest among women with P or LP variants in high-penetrance genes (74.6%). On multivariable analysis, P or LP compared with B or LB variants were significantly associated with CPM (odds ratio = 4.24; 95% CI, 2.48 to 7.26). CONCLUSION Women with P or LP variants on genetic testing were over four times more likely to undergo CPM than B or LB. Those with VUS had similar CPM rates as B or LB. Our findings suggest appropriate genetic counseling and communication of cancer risk to multiethnic breast cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Ro
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,Vicky Ro, MD, MPH, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 161 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY, 10032; e-mail:
| | - Julia E. McGuinness
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Boya Guo
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Meghna S. Trivedi
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Tarsha Jones
- Christine E Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Wendy K. Chung
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Roshni Rao
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Surgery, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Elana Levinson
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Carrie Koval
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Donna Russo
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Ilana Chilton
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Rita Kukafka
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Katherine D. Crew
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
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3
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Wynn J, Levinson E, Koval C, Ernst ME, Chung WK. Questioning the validity of clinically available breast cancer polygenic risk scores: comparison of two labs reveals discrepancies. Fam Cancer 2021; 21:125-127. [PMID: 34002349 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-021-00260-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Wynn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Ave, Russ Berrie Pavilion, 6th Fl, Rm620, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Elana Levinson
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Ave, Russ Berrie Pavilion, 6th Fl, Rm620, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Carrie Koval
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Ave, Russ Berrie Pavilion, 6th Fl, Rm620, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Michelle E Ernst
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Ave, Russ Berrie Pavilion, 6th Fl, Rm620, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1150 St. Nicholas Ave, Russ Berrie Pavilion, 6th Fl, Rm620, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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4
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Ahimaz P, Giordano J, Disco M, Harrington E, Levinson E, Spiegel E, Andrews C, Griffin E, Hernan R, Wynn J. COVID contingencies: Early epicenter experiences of different genetics clinics at a New York City institution inform emergency adaptation strategies. J Genet Couns 2021; 30:938-948. [PMID: 33734519 PMCID: PMC8250804 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The unique situational challenges of the COVID‐19 pandemic have demanded creative modifications to the delivery of genetic services. Institutions across the country have adapted workflows to continue to provide quality care while minimizing the need for physical visits. As the first epicenter of the pandemic in the country, New York City healthcare workers and residents had to make rapid, unprecedented changes to their way of life. This article describes the workflow adaptations of genetic counselors across various clinical settings at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the largest provider of genetics care in New York City, during the height of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The authors observe how the adaptations impacted clinical care and the genetic counselors. Our lived experience and account can provide guidance for others during the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Ahimaz
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Giordano
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine-Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michele Disco
- Interdepartmental Genetic Counseling Program, Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth Harrington
- Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elana Levinson
- Department of Medical Hematology and Oncology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erica Spiegel
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carli Andrews
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Griffin
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca Hernan
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julia Wynn
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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5
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Pereira EM, Ahimaz P, Andrews C, Anyane-Yeboa K, Arsov T, Berger SM, Chilton I, Cory DM, Chung WK, Dergham KR, Disco MM, Ernst ME, Forman T, Galloway S, Geltzeiler AR, Giordano JL, Griffin E, Guzman E, Harkavy N, Hernan R, Hetzler AK, Iglesias A, Kakar R, Kentros C, Khonje TC, Koval C, Levinson E, Pereira EM, Robinson S, Ross MJ, Sadeque-Iqbal F, Spiegel E, Spitz E, Wapner RJ, Chung WK. COVID-19’s Impact on Genetics at One Medical Center in New York. Genet Med 2020; 22:1467-1469. [PMID: 32499605 PMCID: PMC8740647 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0857-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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6
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Biller LH, Ukaegbu C, Dhingra TG, Burke CA, Chertock Y, Chittenden A, Church JM, Koeppe ES, Leach BH, Levinson E, Lim RM, Lutz M, Salo-Mullen E, Sheikh R, Idos G, Kastrinos F, Stoffel E, Weiss JM, Hall MJ, Kalady MF, Stadler ZK, Syngal S, Yurgelun MB. A Multi-Institutional Cohort of Therapy-Associated Polyposis in Childhood and Young Adulthood Cancer Survivors. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2020; 13:291-298. [PMID: 32051178 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-19-0416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prior small reports have postulated a link between gastrointestinal polyposis and childhood and young adulthood cancer (CYAC) treatment (therapy-associated polyposis; TAP), but this remains a poorly understood phenomenon. The aim of this study was to describe the phenotypic spectrum of TAP in a multi-institutional cohort. TAP cases were identified from eight high-risk cancer centers. Cases were defined as patients with ≥10 gastrointestinal polyps without known causative germline alteration or hereditary colorectal cancer predisposition syndrome who had a history of prior treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for CYAC. A total of 34 TAP cases were included (original CYAC: 27 Hodgkin lymphoma, three neuroblastoma, one acute myeloid leukemia, one medulloblastoma, one nephroblastoma, and one non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Gastrointestinal polyposis was first detected at a median of 27 years (interquartile range, 20-33) after CYAC treatment. A total of 12 of 34 (35%) TAP cases had ≥50 colorectal polyps. A total of 32 of 34 (94%) had >1 histologic polyp type. A total of 25 of 34 (74%) had clinical features suggestive of ≥1 colorectal cancer predisposition syndrome [e.g., attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), serrated polyposis syndrome, extracolonic manifestations of FAP, mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer, or hamartomatous polyposis] including 8 of 34 (24%) with features of multiple such syndromes. TAP is an apparently acquired phenomenon that should be considered in patients who develop significant polyposis without known causative germline alteration but who have had prior treatment for a CYAC. Patients with TAP have features that may mimic various hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, suggesting multiple concurrent biologic mechanisms, and recognition of this diagnosis may have implications for cancer risk and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah H Biller
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ramona M Lim
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Megan Lutz
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Rania Sheikh
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Gregory Idos
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | - Jennifer M Weiss
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | | | | | - Sapna Syngal
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew B Yurgelun
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. .,Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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7
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Lucas AL, Tarlecki A, Van Beck K, Lipton C, RoyChoudhury A, Levinson E, Kumar S, Chung WK, Frucht H, Genkinger JM. Self-Reported Questionnaire Detects Family History of Cancer in a Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program. J Genet Couns 2017; 26:806-813. [PMID: 28039657 PMCID: PMC5498249 DOI: 10.1007/s10897-016-0057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer death; approximately 5-10% of PDAC is hereditary. Self-administered health history questionnaires (HHQs) may provide a low-cost method to detail family history (FH) of malignancy. Pancreas Center patients were asked to enroll in a registry; 149 with PDAC completed a HHQ which included FH data. Patients with FH of PDAC, or concern for inherited PDAC syndrome, were separately evaluated in a Prevention Program and additionally met with a genetic counselor (GC) to assess PDAC risk (n = 61). FH obtained through GC and HHQ were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank sum and generalized linear mixed models with Poisson distribution. Agreement between GC and HHQ risk-assessment was assessed using kappa (κ) statistic. In the Prevention Program, HHQ was as precise in detecting FH of cancer as the GC (all p > 0.05). GC and HHQ demonstrated substantial agreement in risk-stratification of the Prevention Program cohort (κ = 0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.87.) The sensitivity of the HHQ to detect a patient at elevated risk (i.e., moderate- or high-risk) of PDAC, compared to GC, was 82.9% (95% CI 67.3-92.3%) with a specificity of 95% (95% CI 73.1-99.7%). However, seven patients who were classified as average-risk by the HHQ were found to be at an elevated-risk of PDAC by the GC. In the PDAC cohort, 30/149 (20.1%) reported at least one first-degree relative (FDR) with PDAC. The limited sensitivity of the HHQ to detect patients at elevated risk of PDAC in the Prevention Program cohort suggests that a GC adds value in risk-assessment in this population. The HHQ may offer an opportunity to identify high-risk patients in a PDAC population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L Lucas
- Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1069, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Adam Tarlecki
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kellie Van Beck
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Casey Lipton
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Arindam RoyChoudhury
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Elana Levinson
- Cancer Genetics Program, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sheila Kumar
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Harold Frucht
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jeanine M Genkinger
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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8
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Lumish HS, Steinfeld H, Koval C, Russo D, Levinson E, Wynn J, Duong J, Chung WK. Impact of Panel Gene Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer on Patients. J Genet Couns 2017; 26:1116-1129. [PMID: 28357778 DOI: 10.1007/s10897-017-0090-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in next generation sequencing have enabled panel gene testing, or simultaneous testing for mutations in multiple genes for a clinical condition. With more extensive and widespread genetic testing, there will be increased detection of genes with moderate penetrance without established clinical guidelines and of variants of uncertain significance (VUS), or genetic variants unknown to either be disease-causing or benign. This study surveyed 232 patients who underwent genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer to examine the impact of panel gene testing on psychological outcomes, patient understanding, and utilization of genetic information. The survey used standardized instruments including the Impact of Event Scale (IES), Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (MICRA), Satisfaction with Decision Instrument (SWD), Ambiguity Tolerance Scale (AT-20), genetics knowledge, and utilization of genetic test results. Study results suggested that unaffected individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer who received positive results were most significantly impacted by intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and distress. However, scores were also modestly elevated among unaffected patients with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer who received VUS, highlighting the impact of ambiguous results that are frequent among patients undergoing genetic testing with large panels of genes. Potential risk factors for increased genetic testing-specific distress in this study included younger age, black or African American race, Hispanic origin, lower education level, and lower genetic knowledge and highlight the need for developing strategies to provide effective counseling and education to these communities, particularly when genetic testing utilizes gene panels that more commonly return VUS. More detailed pre-test education and counseling may help patients appreciate the probability of various types of test results and how results would be used clinically, and allow them to make more informed decisions about the type of genetic testing to select.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi S Lumish
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hallie Steinfeld
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carrie Koval
- Division of Clinical Genetics, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Donna Russo
- Division of Clinical Genetics, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elana Levinson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julia Wynn
- Division of Clinical Genetics, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - James Duong
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. .,Division of Molecular Genetics, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, Room 620, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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9
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Green RC, Christensen KD, Cupples LA, Relkin NR, Whitehouse PJ, Royal CDM, Obisesan TO, Cook-Deegan R, Linnenbringer E, Butson MB, Fasaye GA, Levinson E, Roberts JS. A randomized noninferiority trial of condensed protocols for genetic risk disclosure of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2014; 11:1222-30. [PMID: 25499536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conventional multisession genetic counseling is currently recommended when disclosing apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype for the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cognitively normal individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of brief disclosure protocols for disclosing APOE genotype for the risk of AD. METHODS A randomized, multicenter noninferiority trial was conducted at four sites. Participants were asymptomatic adults having a first-degree relative with AD. A standard disclosure protocol by genetic counselors (SP-GC) was compared with condensed protocols, with disclosures by genetic counselors (CP-GC) and by physicians (CP-MD). Preplanned co-primary outcomes were anxiety and depression scales 12 months after disclosure. RESULTS Three hundred and forty-three adults (mean age 58.3, range 33-86 years, 71% female, 23% African American) were randomly assigned to the SP-GC protocol (n = 115), CP-GC protocol (n = 116), or CP-MD protocol (n = 112). Mean postdisclosure scores on all outcomes were well below cut-offs for clinical concern across protocols. Comparing CP-GC with SP-GC, the 97.5% upper confidence limits at 12 months after disclosure on co-primary outcomes of anxiety and depression ranged from a difference of 1.2 to 2.0 in means (all P < .001 on noninferiority tests), establishing noninferiority for condensed protocols. Results were similar between European Americans and African Americans. CONCLUSIONS These data support the safety of condensed protocols for APOE disclosure for those free of severe anxiety or depression who are actively seeking such information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Green
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Partners Personalized Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kurt D Christensen
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Adrienne Cupples
- Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Norman R Relkin
- Department of Neurology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter J Whitehouse
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Charmaine D M Royal
- Department of African and African American Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Thomas O Obisesan
- Department of Medicine, Howard University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Erin Linnenbringer
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Elana Levinson
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Scott Roberts
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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10
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Lucas AL, Frado L, Hwang C, Kumar S, Khanna LG, Levinson E, Chabot JA, Chung WK, Frucht H. BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations are frequently demonstrated in both high-risk pancreatic cancer screening and pancreatic cancer cohorts. Cancer 2014; 120:1960-7. [PMID: 24737347 PMCID: PMC5494829 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.28662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 10% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is due to a genetic predisposition, including the breast and ovarian cancer syndrome germline mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2. Knowledge of specific genetic mutations predisposing to PDAC may enable risk stratification, early detection, and the development of effective screening and surveillance programs. In the current study, the authors attempted to determine the diagnostic yield of testing for BRCA1/2 germline mutations in a PDAC screening cohort and a PDAC cohort referred for genetic testing. METHODS Patients in a high-risk PDAC prevention and genetics program or those with a personal history of PDAC who were referred for genetic evaluation underwent testing for BRCA1/2 germline mutations. Clinical BRCA1/2 genetic testing included testing for the 3 Ashkenazi Jewish founder mutations or BRCA1/2 comprehensive testing. RESULTS A total of 37 patients without PDAC underwent BRCA1/2 testing at the study institution. Genetic testing identified 7 patients who were BRCA1/2 carriers for a yield of 18.9%. Six patients carried Ashkenazi Jewish founder mutations (3 with BRCA1 and 3 with BRCA2), and 1 patient was found to have a BRCA2 mutation on comprehensive testing. Thirty-two patients with PDAC underwent BRCA1/2 genetic testing. Five patients had Ashkenazi Jewish founder mutations (2 with BRCA1 and 3 with BRCA2), and 2 patients were found to have BRCA2 mutations on comprehensive testing. The diagnostic yield was 7 of 32 patients (21.9%). CONCLUSIONS BRCA1/2 testing is useful in PDAC risk stratification and alters risk assignment and screening recommendations for mutation-positive patients and their families. Clinical BRCA1/2 testing should be considered in patients of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with a personal history or family history of PDAC, even in the absence of a family history of breast and ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L. Lucas
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Frado
- Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Genetics Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Hwang
- Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sheila Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Lauren G. Khanna
- Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Genetics Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elana Levinson
- Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Genetics Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John A. Chabot
- Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Genetics Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wendy K. Chung
- Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Genetics Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harold Frucht
- Muzzi Mirza Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Genetics Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Cherkas LF, Harris JM, Levinson E, Spector TD, Prainsack B. A survey of UK public interest in internet-based personal genome testing. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13473. [PMID: 20976053 PMCID: PMC2957412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In view of the increasing availability of commercial internet-based Personal Genome Testing (PGT), this study aimed to explore the reasons why people would consider taking such a test and how they would use the genetic risk information provided. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A self-completion questionnaire assessing public awareness and interest in PGT and motivational reasons for undergoing PGT was completed by 4,050 unselected adult volunteers from the UK-based TwinsUK register, aged 17 to 91 (response rate 62%). Only 13% of respondents were aware of the existence of PGT. After reading a brief summary about PGT, one in twenty participants (5%) were potentially interested at current prices (£250), however this proportion rose to half (50%) if the test was free of charge. Nearly all respondents who were interested in free PGT reported they would take the test to encourage them to adopt a healthier lifestyle if found to be at high genetic risk of a disease (93%). Around 4 in 5 respondents would have the test to convey genetic risk information to their children and a similar proportion felt that having a PGT would enable their doctor to monitor their health more closely. A TwinsUK research focus group also indicated that consumers would consult their GP to help interpret results of PGT. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This hypothetical study suggests that increasing publicity and decreasing costs of PGT may lead to increased uptake, driven in part by the general public's desire to monitor and improve their health. Although the future extent of the clinical utility of PGT is currently unknown, it is crucial that consumers are well informed about the current limitations of PGT. Our results suggest that health professionals will inevitably be required to respond to individuals who have undergone PGT. This has implications for health service providers regarding both cost and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn F Cherkas
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Levinson E. Monte Carlo studies of crumpling for Sierpinski gaskets. Phys Rev A 1991; 43:5233-5239. [PMID: 9904835 DOI: 10.1103/physreva.43.5233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
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Boal D, Levinson E, Liu D, Plischke M. Anisotropic scaling of tethered self-avoiding membranes. Phys Rev A Gen Phys 1989; 40:3292-3300. [PMID: 9902536 DOI: 10.1103/physreva.40.3292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
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Abstract
Many recent models of movement processing in the human visual system predict that the perception of apparent motion requires stimuli that are similar in spatial frequency. The data presented here provide an example of the perception of apparent motion between patterns with nonoverlapping harmonic content. When patterns presented in alternate frames are dissimilar, motion can be perceived as long as the velocity is not too high.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Baro
- Department of Psychology, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130
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Sigman M, John R, Levinson E, Betts D. Multiple family therapy with severely disturbed psychiatric patients. Psychiatr J Univ Ott 1985; 10:260-5. [PMID: 3911242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Levinson E. Periodontal postulates for the prosthodontist. INT J PERIODONT REST 1981; 1:45-52. [PMID: 7016795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Abstract
Behavioral experiments show that the visual system of cat contains mechanisms which are selective for direction of stimulus movement. The cat's contrast detection threshold for a drifting grating is unaffected by the addition of a grating moving in the opposite direction; this same pattern of results is found for human observers. The convergence of cat and human psychophysical data suggests that man's brain may hold direction-specific neurons, similar to those known to exist in the cat brain.
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Abstract
The spatial properties of human binocular mechanisms were investigated using the technique of subthreshold summation. Isolation of binocular mechanisms was achieved by means of interocular stimulus presentation. The contrast detection threshold for a sinusoidal test grating viewed by one eye was found to be reduced by a subthreshold grating of the same spatial frequency and orientation seen by the other eye. The interaction between the gratings was approximately linear. Threshold increased as the spatial frequencies or orientations of test and subthreshold gratings were made increasingly different. Spatial stimulus specificities measured in this way were as great for interocular presentation as for simultaneous monocular presentation. The results suggest that human contrast sensitivity for gratings may depend upon binocularly-activated neurones similar to those found in cat and monkey visual cortex.
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Abstract
1. Human visual selectivity for direction of movement was determined using a subthreshold summation technique. 2. The threshold contrast for detecting a drifting sinusoidal grating was found to be independent of the contrast of an added subthreshold grating which moved in the opposite direction. 3. The detection threshold for a counterphase flickering grating is twice that for a moving grating, suggesting that the visual system analyses a counterphase grating as the sum of two half-contrast gratings which move in opposite directions. 4. Threshold for a counterphase grating may be linearly reduced by the addition of subthreshold background gratings drifting in either direction. Additivity between counterphase grating and moving background is complete. 5. After adaptation to a drifting grating, the behaviour of counterphase detection threshold as a function of the contrast of a moving subthreshold background depends upon the direction of background movement. When the background moves in a direction opposite that of the adaptation stimulus, complete linear additivity results. When the background moves in the same direction as the adapting grating, counterphase threshold is constant for low background contrasts, but drops linearly for higher background contrasts. 6. The results support the hypothesis that directionally selective channels in human vision are independent contrast detectors. Counterphase gratings are detected by one or the other of these direction-specific mechanisms, whichever is momentarily the more sensitive.
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Abstract
Brief visutal stimuli presented in rapid sequience, one to the left and one to the right, appear to occur left first, then right, regardless of the actual order of presentation. This illutsion persists under conditions of forced-choice testing and does not vary with presemitation to the same or opposite retinal hemifields, A series of experiments suggests that this illutsion may be the product of an internal mechanism that scans visual inputs in a left-to-right order.
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Levinson E, Gurr RH. Splinting--a review and clinical investigation--preliminary report. J Dent Assoc S Afr 1969; 24:284-8. [PMID: 4901171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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