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Steven H Itzkowitz, MD
img_Steven H Itzkowitz
PROFESSOR | Medicine, Gastroenterology
PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences
PROFESSOR | Medical Education
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Specialties
Gastroenterology
Research Topics
Aerodigestive Tract, Cancer, Epithelial Cells, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Cancer Biology [CAB]
Cancer Risk in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) take medicines that affect their immune system. Most of these drugs were initially tested in patients with IBD who did not have a past history of cancer for fear that these agents might promote a recurrence or development of a new cancer. But a recent study by Dr. Itzkowitz and coworkers indicates that even in those patients with IBD who have a history of cancer, taking immune modulating medicines did not predispose them to a recurrence of their cancer or the development of a new cancer. Dr. Itzkowitz is now heading a multicenter registry to follow patients with IBD who have a history of cancer to track their rates of new or recurrent cancer in a prospective fashion.
Mechanisms of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis
Laboratory investigation is exploring the profile of intestinal microbiota in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who have primary sclerosing cholangitis - conditions that predispose to colon cancer.



 
Developing non-invasive colon cancer screening tests
Dr. Itzkowitz's team was part of a national study that demonstrated the utility of stool DNA testing for detecting colon cancer and precancerous polyps in the general population. He is now leading a national study that is testing a modified version of the stool DNA test in patients with IBD who are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer.

Progression of Neoplasia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Studies at Mount Sinai are examining clinical and pathological risk factors to help better understand the factors that promote progression from inflammation to precancerous and cancerous lesions in the colon in patients with IBD. Dr. Itzkowitz is the PI on a new registry that will follow patients with IBD and a past history of cancer who are treated with immune modulating medicines for their IBD, in order to determine whether these medications are associated with the development of recurrent or new cancers. 
Reducing disparities in screening colonoscopy
Dr. Itzkowitz helped spearhead community outreach efforts to enhance awareness of colon cancer in East Harlem. He and his colleagues have demonstrated the effectiveness of new strategies to improve the completion rates of screening colonoscopy among minority individuals by employing patient navigators within an open access referral system. This model has now been accepted by most medical centers and ambulatory clinics. 

MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Residency, Internal Medicine, NYU Hospitals Center

Residency, Internal Medicine, NYU Hospitals Center

Fellowship, Gastroenterology, University of CA at San Francisco School of Medicine

Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine

2013

Excellence in Teaching Award

Institute for Medical Education; Mount Sinai School of Medicine

2013

Patient Advocacy Award

East Harlem Health Outreach Project (EHHOP)

2012

Faculty Award

Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism

2011

Academic Achievement Award (Senior Faculty)

Faculty Council, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

2008

Faculty Award

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

2004

Best Doctors

Castle Connolly and New York Magazine

247
Publications

Selected Publications

Dynamic Prediction of Advanced Colorectal Neoplasia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Anouk M. Wijnands, Bas B.L. Penning de Vries, Maurice W.M.D. Lutgens, Zeinab Bakhshi, Ibrahim Al Bakir, Laurent Beaugerie, Charles N. Bernstein, Ryan Chang-ho Choi, Nayantara Coelho-Prabhu, Trevor A. Graham, Ailsa L. Hart, Joren R. ten Hove, Steven H. Itzkowitz, Julien Kirchgesner, Erik Mooiweer, Seth R. Shaffer, Shailja C. Shah, Sjoerd G. Elias, Bas Oldenburg, Adriaan A. van Bodegraven, Herma H. Fidder, Meike M.C. Hirdes, Frank Hoentjen, Jeroen M. Jansen, Nofel Mahmmod, Andrea E. van der Meulen-de Jong, Cyriel Y. Ponsioen, Fiona D.M. van Schaik, C. Janneke van der Woude. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients With Malignancy: Commentary. Jordan E. Axelrad, Jana G. Hashash, Steven H. Itzkowitz. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Pathology and Clinical Significance of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Associated Colorectal Dysplastic Lesions. Noam Harpaz, Steven H. Itzkowitz. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America

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Babyatsky Lecture 2017

17 E 102 St Floor 5th Floor

New York, NY 10029

Annenberg Building Floor 5th Floor Room Room 5-12L

1468 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

212-241-8788

One Gustave L. Levy Place

Box 1069

New York, NY 10029

212-241-8788

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Itzkowitz during 2023 and/or 2024. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Consulting or Other Professional Services Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

  • Exact Sciences Corporation

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.