Publications by authors named "Jennifer Kemppainen"

Objective: To execute a large-scale, decentralized, clinical-grade whole exome sequencing study, coined Tapestry, for clinical practice, research discovery, and genomic education.

Patients And Methods: Between July 1, 2020, and May 31, 2024, we invited 1,287,608 adult Mayo Clinic patients to participate in Tapestry. Of those contacted, 114,673 patients were consented and 98,222 (65.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to determine if exome sequencing could help efficiently identify individuals with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome (LS), which are genetic conditions linked to increased cancer risk.
  • - Over 44,000 participants were recruited across diverse regions in the U.S., resulting in the identification of 550 carriers of HBOC and LS, with 52.1% being newly diagnosed and 39.2% not meeting current genetic evaluation criteria.
  • - The findings suggest a need for broader use of germline genetic screening to improve the screening and detection of those predisposed to these cancer syndromes, particularly among underrepresented populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Though next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests like exome sequencing (ES), genome sequencing (GS), and panels derived from exome and genome data (EGBP) are effective for rare diseases, the ideal diagnostic approach is debated. Limited research has explored reanalyzing raw ES and GS data post-negative EGBP results for diagnostics.

Results: We analyzed complete ES/GS raw sequencing data from Mayo Clinic's Program for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (PRaUD) patients to assess whether supplementary findings could augment diagnostic yield.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Lung biopsy is the standard method for diagnosing fibrotic interstitial lung disease (F-ILD), but recognizing genetic factors, particularly in familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF), is becoming increasingly important.
  • A study of 70 patients revealed that six had pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE), which can progress to severe respiratory issues and may be linked to genetic disorders affecting telomeres and surfactant proteins.
  • The findings suggest that incorporating genetic testing alongside traditional imaging and pathology can enhance diagnosis and treatment for those with PPFE and other related interstitial lung diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * A new Genetic Testing and Counseling (GTAC) unit was launched to streamline genetic testing and improve patient access, employing a team of specialized professionals to provide quick genetic counseling and support.
  • * Since its inception, PRaUD has evaluated over 1,150 patients, achieving a solved or likely solved rate of 17.5%, and significant changes in medical management for nearly 43% of those whose genetic tests yielded results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Increased cancer risk in first-degree relatives of probands with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC probands) who carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in cancer syndrome-associated genes encourages cascade genetic testing. To date, unbiased risk estimates for the development of cancers on a gene-specific basis have not been assessed.

Objective: To quantify the risk of development of PDAC and extra-PDAC among first-degree relatives of PDAC probands who carry a PGV in 1 of 9 cancer syndrome-associated genes-ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and CDKN2A.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Recent studies identified underlying genetic causes in a proportion of patients with various forms of kidney disease. In particular, genetic testing reclassified some focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) cases into collagen type 4 (COL4)-related nephropathy. This knowledge has major implications for counseling prospective transplant recipients about recurrence risk and screening biologically related donors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Pancreatic cancer (PC) risk is higher in families where many members have cancer, but it hasn’t been studied much when both parents are sick.
  • The research looked at siblings of people with PC and found that their risk of getting PC increased depending on how many parents had cancer.
  • Siblings with family cancer history felt more worried about developing PC, especially if they had specific gene changes that raised their risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the role of high-impact genetic variants in over a thousand genes linked to Mendelian neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) by characterizing 28 probands with de novo heterozygous coding variants.
  • Among the identified variants, 15 unique changes were found, including missense, in-frame deletions, and a splice variant, affecting the Argonaute 1 protein involved in gene-silencing pathways, which suggests these mutations may disrupt mRNA processing.
  • The affected individuals exhibited a range of symptoms, such as intellectual disabilities, speech and motor delays, and autistic behaviors, highlighting the potential significance of these genetic variants in understanding NDD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rationale & Objective: The etiology of kidney disease remains unknown in many individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We created the Mayo Clinic Nephrology Genomics Clinic to improve our ability to integrate genomic and clinical data to identify the etiology of unexplained CKD.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • SPTBN1 gene encodes βII-spectrin, crucial for forming networks at plasma membranes, and its deficiency in mice leads to significant neurodevelopmental issues.
  • Heterozygous variants of SPTBN1 were identified in 29 individuals exhibiting a range of developmental challenges, including intellectual disabilities, language delays, and autistic features.
  • These variants weaken βII-spectrin stability and disrupt cellular organization, establishing SPTBN1 as a key contributor to certain neurodevelopmental syndromes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Deletion 1p36 (del1p36) syndrome is the most common human disorder resulting from a terminal autosomal deletion. This condition is molecularly and clinically heterogeneous. Deletions involving two non-overlapping regions, known as the distal (telomeric) and proximal (centromeric) critical regions, are sufficient to cause the majority of the recurrent clinical features, although with different facial features and dysmorphisms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Exome sequencing often identifies pathogenic genetic variants in patients with undiagnosed diseases. Nevertheless, frequent findings of variants of uncertain significance necessitate additional efforts to establish causality before reaching a conclusive diagnosis. To provide comprehensive genomic testing to patients with undiagnosed disease, we established an Individualized Medicine Clinic, which offered clinical exome testing and included a Translational Omics Program (TOP) that provided variant curation, research activities, or research exome sequencing.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Variants in have recently been associated with an autosomal dominant form of -related neurodevelopmental disorders. Using whole exome sequencing, patients with neurological phenotypes including hypotonia, developmental delay, learning disabilities, and seizures were identified to have de novo variants in . We describe a proband with features similar to the previously described cases with variants, but including additional features, such as short stature, delayed bone age, and delayed puberty.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: (+)-Epicatechin (EPI) induces mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant metabolism in muscle fibers and neurons. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of (+)-EPI in pediatric subjects with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA).

Methods: This was a phase II, open-label, baseline-controlled single-center trial including 10 participants ages 10 to 22 with confirmed FA diagnosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diagnostic exome sequencing yields a single genetic diagnosis in ∼30% of cases, and according to recent studies the prevalence of identifying two genetic conditions in a single individual range between 4.6% and 7%. We present a patient diagnosed with three different rare conditions, each explained by a pathogenic variant in a different gene.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Whole exome sequencing (WES) has become a fundamental component of genetic evaluation and diagnosing rare genetic diseases. This test is now offered to patients from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and in various clinical and research settings. This commentary is a reflection of one group of clinical genetic counselors' experiences in facilitating WES for patients who come from outside the United States for genetic evaluation and pursue WES.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a peroxisomal disorder caused by a mutation in ABCD1 gene. The three main phenotypes of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy include cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, adrenomyeloneuropathy, and isolated primary adrenal insufficiency. More than 750 non-recurrent mutations exist throughout the coding region of the ABCD1 gene.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

BACKGROUND Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome (WSS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic condition that was first described in 1983. Since its original description, approximately 50 cases have been reported with various clinical signs and symptoms. Characteristics include progressive neurologic deterioration with extrapyramidal involvement and polyendocrinopathy most notable for hypogonadism starting in early adolescence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To increase genetic counseling referrals for patients with newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods: A practice-gap analysis was performed after measuring baseline genetic counseling referral rates to identify barriers to referral from the multidisciplinary single institution EOC care group. A Genetics Referral Toolkit consisting of a referral template, a genetic risk checklist, family history worksheet and provider and patient awareness was developed to address identified gaps with the goal of increasing referral rates.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF