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Cancer Genetics Program

Brief Biography

Harriet Druker has been a Genetic Counsellor in the Cancer Genetics Program in the Division of Haematology and Oncology at SickKids since 2000. Prior to joining the Cancer Genetics Program, she worked in prenatal diagnosis and clinical and metabolic genetics. She received her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling from McGill University in 1996. Harriet is a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto as well as a clinical supervisor to students in the M.Sc Program in Genetic Counselling and to genetic residents and fellows.

As a genetic counsellor, Harriet Druker provides comprehensive cancer genetic consultations to individuals and families with a history of cancer. She develops extensive pedigrees and obtains documentation for cancer diagnoses. Genetic counselling regarding personal risk for developing cancer and the availability of screening is offered to each member of a family at risk. Where predictive testing is appropriate, education is offered about the genetics of cancer, prenatal diagnosis, the testing process, and the implications of test results. Families are provided with ongoing support throughout this process.

Research Interests

Clinical cancer genetics

• Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
• Von Hippel Lindau
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasias
• Wilms Tumour
• Psychosocial attitudes and ethical issues related to genetic testing of children
• Screening recommendations

Publications

Shlien A, Tabori U, Marshall C, Pienkowska M, Feuk L, Novokmet A, Nanda S, Druker H, Scherer S, Malkin D. (2008). Excessive germline copy number variation in the Li-Fraumeni cancer predisposition syndrome. PNAS. Vol. 105. No. 32: 11264–11269.

Tabori U, Druker H, Nanda S, Lees J, Malkin D. (2007). Younger age of cancer initiation is associated with shorter telomere length in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Cancer Res. 2007 Feb 15;67(4):1415-8.

Druker H, Nanda S, Meyn S, Weksberg R, Malkin D. (2006). Clinical Screening Guidelines for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. Ontario Cancer Genetics Network and Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario – poster presentations.

Valenzuela A, Druker H, Malkin D, Gallie B, Héon E. (2005). Unusual ocular presentation of von Hippel-Lindau Disease. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmolgy, Vol. 40, No.5:593-7.

Druker H, Kaiser A*, Novokmet A, Barrera M, Meyn S, Weksberg R, Malkin D. (2003). The paediatric cancer genetics program: a clinical innovation in paediatric medicine. Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario – poster presentation. *co-primary authors

Druker H, Weksberg R, O'Neill S, Malkin D, Khoury A, Grant R. (2003). Broadening the WT1 mutation associated phenotype. American Society of Human Genetics - poster presentation, Los Angeles, CA, November 4 - 8, 2003.

Druker H, Greenberg M, Weksberg R. (2001). A new syndrome: endodermal sinus tumor, complex CHD, polycystic-hypoplastic left kidney, dysplastic teeth, tapered fingers, and mild developmental delay. American Society of Human Genetics - poster presentation, San Diego, CA, October 13 - 16, 2001.

Teebi A and Druker H. (2001). Bracycephaly, cutis aplasia congenita, blue sclerae, hypertelorism, polydactyly, hypoplastic nipples, failure to thrive, and developmental delay: a distinct autosomal recessive syndrome? Clinical Dysmorphology. Vol.10,No.1:1-2

Cytrynbaum C, Babul-Hirji R, Rowell M, Henderson K, Australie K, Druker H, Dupuis L, Quercia N, Shuman C, Kennedy S. (2000). Patient perspectives on the process of informed consent for DNA testing. Proceedings of the Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Cooperation with the 31st Annual March of Dimes Clinical Genetics Conference - American College of Medical Genetics 2(1):A131, 2000.

Cytrynbaum C, Babul-Hirji R, Kennedy S, Rowell M, Henderson K, Australie K, Druker H, Dupuis L, Quercia N, Shuman C. (1999). Patient perspectives on the process of informed consent for DNA testing. American Society of Human Genetics 49th Annual Meeting, Am J Hum Genet 65(4); Supp: A1058, 1999.

Druker H, Kasprzak L, Begin L, Jothy S, Narod S, Foulkes W. (1997). Family with Graves disease, multinodular goiter, nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma, and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Am J Med Genet Oct 3;72(1):30-33, 1997.

Bignell G, Sun S, Biggs P, Hamoudi R, Rosenblatt J, Buu P, Druker H, Hudson T, Houlston R, Narod S, Stratton M, Foulkes W. (1996). Non-medullary thryoid cancer: attempts to locate susceptibility genes by linkage in two Canadian families with goiter and non-medullary thyroid cancer. American Society of Human Genetics 46th Annual Meeting, Am J Hum Genet 59(4);Supp:A380, 1996.

Joobert R, Benkelfat C, Lal S, Palmour R, Bloom D, Labelle A, Druker H, Dixon M, and Rouleau G. (1995). Neuroeleptic resistant schizophrenia: clinical, neuropsychological and family characterization. Psychiatric Genetics. Vol.5:S56.