This intervention was useful as an initial outreach and educational method for families considering p53 genetic testing, and may improve knowledge about LFS as well as psychological outcomes.

Transforming growth factor Α (TGFΑ) is a keratinocyte-growth-stimulating factor which may have a role in epidermal hyperproliferation, psoriasis, and wound healing. Since increased epidermal proliferation occurs in response to UV radiation, we have measured the amount of TGFΑ in exudates from normal and UVB-irradiated human skin. Cutaneous exudates were obtained using the skin chamber abrasion technique from one side of the back of volunteers (n = 10) with normal skin (collected following skin contact times of 2 and 30 min). Exudates were similarly obtained from the contralateral side of the back at sites irradiated 2 h previously with 3 × the minimum erythemal dose UVB. Levels of TGFΑ were measured by radioimmunoassay. Normal human skin released TGFΑ immediately after abrasion: unirradiated, 63 ± 18 ng/ml; irradiated, 89 ± 15 ng/ml. Levels of TGFΑ increased within 30 min to 110 ± 14 ng/ml in unirradiated skin and to 190 ± 17 ng/ml in irradiated skin. Irradiated sites at 30-min time points were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than all other samples. The presence of releasable TGFΑ in normal skin suggests a role for TGFΑ in wound repair mechanisms.

Purpose: Genetic testing results are currently obtained approximately 1 year after referral to a medical genetics team for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We evaluated a mainstream genetic testing (MGT) pathway whereby the nephrology team provided pre-test counseling and selection of patients with suspected ADPKD for genetic testing prior to direct patient interaction by a medical geneticist. Sources of information: A multidisciplinary team of nephrologists, genetic counselors, and medical geneticists developed an MGT pathway for ADPKD using current testing criteria for adult patient with suspected ADPKD and literature from MGT in oncology. Methods: An MGT pathway was assessed using a prospective cohort and compared to a retrospective cohort of 56 patients with ADPKD who received genetic testing using the standard, traditional pathway prior to implementing the MGT for ADPKD. The mainstream pathway was evaluated using time to diagnosis, diagnostic yield, and a patient survey to assess patient perceptions of the MGT pathway. Key findings: We assessed 26 patients with ADPKD using the MGT and 18 underwent genetic testing with return of results. Of them, 52 patients had data available for analysis in the traditional control cohort. The time for return of results using our MGT pathway was significantly shorter with a median time to results of 6 months compared to 12 months for the traditional pathway. We identified causative variants in 61% of patients, variants of uncertain significance in 28%, and 10% had negative testing which is in line with expectations from the literature. The patient surveys showed high satisfaction rates with the MGT pathway. Limitations: This report is an evaluation of a new genetic testing pathway restricted to a single, publicly funded health care center. The MGT pathway involved a prospective collection of a limited number of patients with ADPKD with comparison to a retrospective cohort of patients with ADPKD evaluated by standard testing. Implications: A MGT pathway using clearly defined criteria and commercially available gene panels for ADPKD can be successfully implemented in a publicly funded health care system to reduce the time required to obtain genetic results.

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