Publications by authors named "Menachem Schechter"

Deciphering the spectrum and founder disease-causing variants (DCVs) in specific populations can shape and facilitate the diagnostic process of Lynch Syndrome (LS). The aim of this report was to comprehensively update on the genetic landscape of LS in the ethnically diverse Israeli-Jewish population. The cohort included 1080 carriers from 588 families; some from underrepresented, understudied Israeli ethnic groups recruited from 8 genetic institutes and high-risk clinics throughout the country.

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Background: Surveillance of high-risk individuals for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is recommended. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes of PDAC and its precursor lesions in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) carriers undergoing pancreatic surveillance.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study of pancreatic surveillance outcomes in Israeli BRCA1/2 carriers preferably with a family history of PDAC.

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Background: Family history increases the risk for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, data on differences in phenotypic characteristics among patients with a strong family history of IBD are scarce and controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the phenotypic features of IBD patients with four or more affected first-degree relatives with sporadic cases of IBD.

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Objectives: Loss-of-function mutations of BMPR1A cause juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS), but large genomic deletions in BMPR1A are rare, reported in few families only, and data regarding the associated phenotype are limited.

Methods: We investigated clinical features and genomic data of 7 extended seemingly unrelated families with a genomic deletion of the entire coding region of BMPR1A. We defined mutation size, mutation prevalence, and tumor pathogenesis using whole-genome sequencing, targeted genotyping, and haplotype analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study examined the impact of an aggressive colonoscopy-based colorectal cancer screening program implemented in New York City in 2004 on African American patients, comparing outcomes before (1992-2003) and after (2004-2011) the program's introduction.
  • - Researchers found that the intensive screening era led to a significant increase in insurance coverage (from 34% to 84%) and a dramatic decrease in mortality rates from colorectal cancer (from 67% to 21%).
  • - Results indicated that earlier stage diagnoses and better survival rates were linked to factors like insurance status, tumor location, and gender, suggesting that improving access to screenings could further reduce disparities in cancer outcomes for African Americans.
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Hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome is a rare colon cancer predisposition syndrome caused by a duplication of a noncoding sequence near the gremlin 1, DAN family BMP antagonist gene (GREM1) originally described in Ashkenazi Jews. Few families with GREM1 duplications have been described, so there are many questions about detection and management. We report 4 extended families with the duplication near GREM1 previously found in Ashkenazi Jews; 3 families were identified at cancer genetic clinics in Israel and 1 family was identified in a cohort of patients with familial colorectal cancer.

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