Publications by authors named "Elizabeth Varga"

Article Synopsis
  • Comprehensive next generation sequencing (NGS) is being explored for its potential in diagnosing and treating pediatric hematologic malignancies, but its effectiveness is not yet fully established.
  • The study involved comprehensive genomic profiling of 28 patients at a pediatric care center, utilizing exome and RNA sequencing to analyze various genetic changes.
  • Of the 18 patients who underwent both germline and somatic sequencing, 83% had cancer-related findings, with targeted therapies beneficial for some, leading to long-term remission in a few cases.
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Article Synopsis
  • De novo variants in the CSNK2A1 gene cause autosomal dominant Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome (OCNDS), characterized by intellectual disability, global delays, dysmorphic features, and immunological issues.
  • A study of four individuals from three families identified three pathogenic missense variants in CSNK2A1, adding new evidence to the link between these genetic variants and OCNDS.
  • The research highlights that smaller head circumference, including microcephaly, is common but often overlooked in OCNDS, with a significant correlation between variant location in the protein and the presence of microcephaly.
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PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) disorders are caused by somatic mosaic variants that result in constitutive activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway. Promising responses to molecularly targeted therapy have been reported, although identification of an appropriate agent can be hampered by the mosaic nature and corresponding low variant allele frequency of the causal variant. Moreover, our understanding of the molecular consequences of these variants-for example how they affect gene expression profiles-remains limited.

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Article Synopsis
  • Increased access to genomic profiling in pediatric cancer has improved the identification of genetic variations linked to cancer risk, particularly highlighting Noonan syndrome (NS) and its connection to gliomas and glioneuronal tumors.
  • In a study of 314 pediatric cancer patients, 1.3% were found to have germline variants associated with NS, with a significant portion showing these variants linked to glioma diagnoses.
  • The research not only confirmed existing associations but also led to the discovery of NS in previously undiagnosed patients, underscoring the value of genomic profiling in recognizing complex genetic conditions related to cancer.
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Background: Identifying germline predisposition in CNS malignancies is of increasing clinical importance, as it contributes to diagnosis and prognosis, and determines aspects of treatment. The inclusion of germline testing has historically been limited due to challenges surrounding access to genetic counseling, complexity in acquiring a germline comparator specimen, concerns about the impact of findings, or cost considerations. These limitations were further defined by the breadth and scope of clinical testing to precisely identify complex variants as well as concerns regarding the clinical interpretation of variants including those of uncertain significance.

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Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by varying degrees of hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent infections, and autoimmunity. Currently, pathogenic variants are identified in approximately 20-30% of CVID cases. Here we report a 3-generation family with autosomal dominant Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) diagnosed in 9 affected individuals.

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Anorectal malformations (ARMs) constitute a group of congenital defects of the gastrointestinal and urogenital systems. They affect males and females, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 1 in 5000 live births. These malformations are clinically heterogeneous and can be part of a syndromic presentation (syndromic ARM) or as a nonsyndromic entity (nonsyndromic ARM).

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Current practices vary widely regarding the immunological work-up and management of patients affected with defects in thymic development (DTD), which include chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2del) and other causes of DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) and coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae, retardation of growth and development, genital hypoplasia, ear anomalies/deafness (CHARGE) syndrome.

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Background: Pediatric cancers typically have a distinct genomic landscape when compared to adult cancers and frequently carry somatic gene fusion events that alter gene expression and drive tumorigenesis. Sensitive and specific detection of gene fusions through the analysis of next-generation-based RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data is computationally challenging and may be confounded by low tumor cellularity or underlying genomic complexity. Furthermore, numerous computational tools are available to identify fusions from supporting RNA-Seq reads, yet each algorithm demonstrates unique variability in sensitivity and precision, and no clearly superior approach currently exists.

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X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is an inborn error of immunity caused by pathogenic variants in the BTK gene, resulting in impaired B cell differentiation and maturation. Over 900 variants have already been described in this gene, however, new pathogenic variants continue to be identified. In this report, we describe 22 novel variants in BTK, associated with B cell deficiency with hypo- or agammaglobulinemia in male patients or in asymptomatic female carriers.

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Infantile fibrosarcoma (IFS) is nearly universally driven by gene fusions involving the NTRK family. fusions account for ∼85% of alterations; the remainder are attributed to NTRK-variant fusions. Rarely, other genomic aberrations have been described in association with tumors identified as IFS or IFS-like.

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Background: Clinical genetic testing for inherited predisposition to venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common among patients and their families. However, there is incomplete consensus about which individuals should receive testing, and the relative risks and benefits.

Methods: We assessed outcomes of receiving direct-to-consumer (DTC) results for the two most common genetic risk factors for VTE, factor V Leiden in the F5 gene (FVL) and prothrombin 20210G>A in the F2 gene (PT).

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CARMIL2 deficiency is a rare combined immunodeficiency (CID) characterized by defective CD28-mediated T cell co-stimulation, altered cytoskeletal dynamics, and susceptibility to Epstein Barr Virus smooth muscle tumors (EBV-SMTs). Case reports associated with EBV-SMTs are limited. We describe herein a novel homozygous variant (c.

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As genetic testing is increasingly integrated into medical care, the genetic counselor (GC) has emerged as a key member of multidisciplinary (MD) teams. Prior research has demonstrated the importance of role clarification when subspecialties are introduced to these teams given the potential differences in team member expectations regarding the division of responsibilities in clinic. To assess perceptions of a GC's role in four pediatric hematology/oncology clinics, Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) competencies were used to develop two separate surveys for providers and patients and their caregivers.

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Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is an exceedingly rare constitutional disorder in which a paucity of knowledge exists about the disease and its associated morbidity and mortality. We present a 4-year-old male with KFS, who notably was also diagnosed with large-cell anaplastic medulloblastoma. We evaluated the genetic basis of co-occurring KFS and medulloblastoma and the role of MYO18B as related to medulloblastoma.

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Hypodysfibrinogenemia, the least frequently reported congenital fibrinogen disorder is characterized by low circulating levels of a dysfunctional protein, and is associated with phenotypic features of both hypo- and dysfibrinogenemia. Herein, we report an adolescent male with unprovoked venous thromboembolism and hypodysfibrinogenemia. Patient had recurrent, progressive thrombosis despite therapeutic anticoagulation with both low molecular weight heparin and warfarin.

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We present here a case of MIRAGE syndrome due to novel variant (c.2318T>C) in the sterile α motif domain-containing protein 9 (SAMD9) gene. Previous reports have described the clinical phenotype, which includes myelodysplasia, recurrent infections, restriction of growth and development, adrenal insufficiency, genitourinary abnormalities, and enteropathies, often resulting in fatality within the first few years of life.

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Gangliogliomas (WHO grade I) are rare tumors affecting the central nervous system and are most frequently observed in children. Next-generation sequencing of tumors is being utilized at an increasing rate in both research and clinical settings to characterize the genetic factors that drive tumorigenesis. Here, we report a rare somatic mutation (NM_004333.

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Background: Despite universal screening that detects sickle cell trait (SCT) in infancy, only 16% of Americans with SCT know their status. To increase SCT status awareness, effective education for patients and their families is needed. The objective of this study was to assess caregivers' SCT knowledge before and after an in-person SCT education session.

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Introduction: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of acute leukemia compared to a markedly decreased incidence of solid tumors. Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood, is particularly rare in the DS population, with only one published case. As demonstrated in a mouse model, DS is associated with cerebellar hypoplasia and a decreased number of cerebellar granule neuron progenitor cells (CGNPs) in the external granule cell layer (EGL).

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Hemoglobin F (HbF) concentration is used in the diagnosis of certain hemoglobinopathies and accurate quantification is central to treatment of patients with sickle cell disease. The 2 most commonly used methods to quantify HbF are high performance liquid chromatography and capillary zone electrophoresis. This study reports discrepancies in HbF quantification between these methods when hemoglobin S is present in the sample.

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The 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme is a catalyst in the folate metabolism pathway, the byproducts of which are involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Methionine is a precursor for a major DNA methyl donor and is important for DNA methylation and gene regulation. Rare mutations in the MTHFR gene have been associated with autosomal recessive MTHFR deficiency leading to homocystinuria.

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