Odette Cancer Program

Education:

• B.Sc., 1990, molecular biology, Western University, Canada
• MD, 1996, Queens University, Canada
• Fellowship in internal medicine, 1999, McMaster University, Canada
• Fellowship in medical oncology, 2001, McMaster University, Canada
• M.Sc., 2002, health research methodology, McMaster University, Canada

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Affiliate scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Odette Cancer Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Associate professor, department of medicine, University of Toronto
• Associate member, Institute of Medical Science, U of T
• Medical oncologist, Sunnybrook

Research Foci:

• Melanoma
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapies

Research Summary:

A key focus of Dr. Petrella’s research is investigating novel immunotherapies and targeted therapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Over the last few years there have been substantial gains in the understanding of molecular pathways and function of the immune system, which has led to new therapies for melanoma. She has been actively involved in the design and implementation of clinical trials for melanoma studying immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

1. Look Hong NJ, Petrella T, Chan K. Cost-effectiveness analysis of staging strategies in patients with regionally metastatic melanoma. J Surg Oncol. 2015 Mar 15;111(4):423–30.
2. Claveau J, Ho V, Petrella T. Metastatic melanoma: optimizing outcomes by managing dermatologic toxicities associated with novel therapies. Skin Therapy Lett. 2014 Mar 1;19(2):1–4.
3. Petrella T, Tozer R, Belanger K, Savage KJ, Wong R, Smylie M, Kamel-Reid S, Tron V, Chen BE, Hunder NN, Hagerman L, Walsh W, Eisenhauer EA. Interleukin-21 has activity in patients with metastatic melanoma: a phase II study. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Sep 20;30(27):3396–401.
4. Petrella T, Verma S, Spithoff K, Quirt I, McCready D; and the Melanoma Disease Site Group. Adjuvant interferon therapy for patients at high risk for recurrent melanoma: an updated systematic review and practice guideline. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2012 Aug;24(6):413–23.

Related News and Stories:

• Immunotherapy for melanoma works over the long term: study: Treatment has strong effects; provincial reimbursement being requested (SRI Magazine, 2016)

Related Links:

• Cancer Care Ontario Program in Evidence-Based Care