Steven H Itzkowitz, MD
img_Steven H Itzkowitz
PROFESSOR | Medicine, Gastroenterology
PROFESSOR | Medical Education
PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences
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Specialties
Gastroenterology
Research Topics
Aerodigestive Tract, Cancer, Epithelial Cells, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Cancer Biology [CAB]
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.



 
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.
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. 
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. 
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.

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

Babyatsky Lecture 2017

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.

Dr. Itzkowitz has not yet completed reporting of Industry relationships.

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.