Eileen Rakovitch
Scientist
Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Canada. This year in Ontario, 50,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer and almost 25,000 will die. The Odette cancer research program at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) seeks to understand the basis of cancer and to improve prevention and treatment.
Our areas of focus range from the basic genetics, biochemistry and biology of cancer, through new experimental treatments to social factors and quality of life of patients living with cancer.
Researchers in the program include:
- medical and radiation oncologists
- surgical oncologists
- molecular biologists
- psychologists
- epidemiologists
- imaging scientists
- nurses
- many other health care specialists
Clinicians and scientists examine a variety of cancers, with strong emphasis on three strategic foci: prostate, breast and colorectal cancer. Our research is geared toward early detection and the development of new treatments.
Sunnybrook has been remarkably successful in translation research, defined as research that has potential for direct clinical impact, whether by bringing basic laboratory science into the clinic, or by moving the findings of clinical trials or epidemiological studies into the realm of health policy.
Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) takes a leadership role in five areas of focus for cancer research. The broad spectrum of research covered by these five areas enables the creation and implementation of new modalities of therapy and to create the next generation of best practices. As a consequence, it provides an ideal environment for training and education.
Imaging
Imaging scientists are developing and improving a range of imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital mammography, 3-D pathology and ultrasound, to visualize tumours for earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We are also developing and validating new tools for characterizing tumour vascularity, and creating new devices and techniques for accurate, image-guided interventional surgery.
Molecular and cellular biology
Scientists in molecular and cellular biology are investigating the disregulated cellular growth at the molecular and genetic basis, which characterizes interruption of the cell’s normal “biological clock,” resulting in cancer. This work lends itself to other internationally recognized studies in the program that focus on angiogenesis, which in this context supports tumour growth. We are examining the mechanisms of how to target the neovasculature towards preventing abnormal cells from growing.
Radiation physics
Researchers in radiation physics are working to improve radiation therapy in order to:
- define and diagnose tumours;
- control their growth;
- alleviate cancer symptoms; and
- assess access and utilization of radiotherapy on a population level.
Major foci include the development of new ways of delivering radiotherapy to more efficiently reduce cancer and minimize side effects, as well as designing innovative methods for planning radiation treatments using positron emission tomography (PET) and computer-aided tomograph (CT).
Clinical trials and health services
SRI plays a leadership role across the province and Canada in health services research and clinical trials, due in part to our strong partnership with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). Scientists and clinicians team up to conduct clinical trials for new cancer therapies and diagnostic technologies, and a significant base of clinical epidemiologists conduct health services research to test the effectiveness of current and new treatments, analyze the contribution of non-biological factors and socio-economic factors in cure and palliation, and evaluate diagnostic technology through population-based studies.
Psychosocial and behaviour
Scientists within the Psychosocial and Behavioural Research Unit (PBRU) conduct psychosocial, behavioural and supportive care research. The unit focuses on:
- narrative and arts-based methods;
- quality of life assessment;
- health services utilization and evaluation;
- development and testing of psychosocial and educational interventions;
- study of strategies to disseminate information; and
- qualitative descriptions of patients’ experiences.
The PBRU is unique in that it concentrates on areas of research vital to the education and well-being of patients with cancer, but which are often neglected.
Phase 2 Study of an Immunotherapeutic Vaccine, DPX-Survivac with Low Dose Cyclophosphamide administered with Pembrolizumab in Patients with persistent or Recurrent/refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Although standard therapies are often successful in curing DLBCL in 2 out of 3 patients, approximately 33% of patients will stop responding to their current treatments or their cancer will come back. New and effective treatments for these patients are urgently needed, as their survival rates are low.
The SPiReL study is a Canadian multi-centre clinical trial, being carried out at Sunnybrook as well as sites in Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal. The SPiReL study will examine the effects of using three immunotherapy treatments in combination, in patients with DLBCL that has come back (relapsed), or is not responding to current treatments (refractory). Patients may have also had a stem cell transplant that did not work, or they are not eligible to receive a stem cell transplant. DPX-Survivac is a vaccine which is made to recognize and attack specific antigens on the surface of DLBCL tumour cells when they express a protein called Survivin. This protein is expressed in a large percentage of relapsed or refractory DLBCL tumours. Pembrolizumab and low dose cyclophosphamide, which use the immune system to kill cancer cells, will be used together with the vaccine to treat patients in the SPiReL study. A strong anti-lymphoma immune response should be generated by the combination of these three immunotherapies.
The primary outcome of the Phase II SPiReL study is to examine patient response rate to the study treatment.
The secondary outcomes of the study are to determine if tumour size decreases with treatment, to determine the toxicity profile of the medications used in the study, and to document the length of time that patients responded to the study treatment.
In addition, the study will also explore the effects of the treatment on the immune system and gene expression, through the examination of biological samples prior to treatment and during treatment.
The SPiReL study will enroll 25 participants at its participating sites in Canada. The study began in March 2018 and is estimated to be completed by May of 2021
SPiReL is funded by Immunovaccine (IMV). IMV is providing the DPX-Survivac vaccine, and Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp. are providing the Pembrolizumab for the study.
For more information on the SPiReL study, please contact SPiReL@sunnybrook.ca
Team members and contact information
Principal investigator
Dr. Neil Berinstein, MD, FRCPC, ABIM
416-480-5248
neil.berinstein@sunnybrook.ca
Project manager
Christine Kerr, Ph.D., CCRP
416-480-6100 ext. 687535
SPiReL@sunnybrook.ca
Related links
News stories
- Immunovaccine Announces Initiation of Patient Dosing in Investigator-Sponsored Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Its Lead Candidate DPX-Survivac Used in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Patients with DLBCL (March 28, 2018)
- Immunovaccine Announces Regulatory Clearance for Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating DPX-Survivac in Combination with Merck’s Checkpoint Inhibitor Pembrolizumab in DLBCL (November 8, 2017)
- Immunovaccine’s Lead Immuno-Oncology Candidate to Enter Investigator-Sponsored Phase 2 Clinical Trial in DLBCL in Combination with Approved Anti-PD-1 Drug (May 16, 2017)
Why Give to Cancer Care
Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Program is one of the largest cancer programs in North America. We aim to find cancers early, and treat them with the most advanced and minimally-invasive techniques so that patients experience less side-effects and return home sooner. Whether it’s innovative radiation methods, new chemotherapy treatments or state-of-the-art imaging techniques, our specialists are transforming care and saving lives at home and around the world.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), technology that sees inside tumours, is at the heart of this transformation as are treatments that destroy tumours without surgery and harming healthy tissue. We are the first in Canada to use MRI for real-time guidance of radiation treatments. The powerful and precise radiation doses made possible by this technology will mean we treat cancer more effectively, keep side-effects like fatigue to an absolute minimum and shorten treatment time.
Your support enables us to bring these innovative treatments to patients sooner.
Odette Cancer Centre and Sunnybrook Research Institute Oncology Grand Rounds
The joint OCC-SRI Oncology Grand Rounds occur monthly, and include a 30-minute talk from a Sunnybrook Research Institute scientist and a 30 minute talk from an Odette Cancer Centre clinician-scientist.
We are looking forward to meeting monthly to showcase research initiatives from our discovery, imaging and clinical scientists, and to provide opportunities for further collaboration. We hope you will be able to join us once a month through Zoom.
Zoom Meeting
Launch zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 969 9478 5511
Passcode: 938225
Grand Rounds
Thursday, November 23, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Charles Cunningham, PhD
- Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Associate Professor, Departments of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
View Dr. Charles Cunningham’s scientific profile
Topic: “Imaging lactate production and consumption in the human brain: Predicting response to SRS and beyond”
Objectives:
- Learn about the role of the metabolite lactate
- Understand how 13C MRI is performed on patients
Dr. Gregory Czarnota, PhD, MD
- Radiation Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre
- Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Departments of Radiation Oncology & Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
View Dr. Gregory Czarnota’s scientific profile
Topic: “Ultrasound for Radiation Enhancing Cancer Therapy”
Objectives:
- To understand microbubble-stimulated ultrasound therapy basic science
- To understand clinical results of microbubble-stimulated ultrasound therapy
Thursday, January 26, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Martin Yaffe, PhD, C.M. FRSC.
- Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Departments of Medical Imaging and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
- Director, Imaging Validation Core, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research,
- Chief Scientific Officer, Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization of Research
View Dr. Martin Yaffe’s scientific profile
Topic: “The Role of Imaging in Precision Medicine”
Objectives:
- To provide a better understanding of how quantitative imaging can inform and optimize detection, characterization and treatment of cancer
- To illustrate the use of multimodal imaging for cancer in the BIRL labs – radiohistogenomics
Dr. Ellen Warner, MD, FRCPC, FACP, MSc
- Medical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre
- Affiliate Scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Director of PYNK, Breast Cancer Program for Young Women, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
View Dr. Ellen Warner’s scientific profile
Topic: “Babies after breast cancer: From taboo to triumph”
Objectives:
- To understand reasons for the emergence and rapid growth of the field of oncofertility
- To be aware of the technique, effectiveness and limitations of the fertility preservation options
- To review current evidence regarding the safety of fertility preservation and pregnancy after breast cancer
Thursday, October 26, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Gobi Thillainadesan, PhD
Dr. Alexander Louie, MD, PhD, M.Sc., FRCPC
Thursday, September 28, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Christine Démoré, PhD
- Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
View Dr. Christine Démoré’s scientific profile
Topic: “Micro-ultrasound technologies for Image-Guided Intervention and Pre-clinical research”
Objectives:
- Introduction to micro-ultrasound imaging technologies being developed and investigated at Sunnybrook
- Provide an understanding of the contrast mechanisms, and associated information about tissue, that is possible with the new technologies
Thursday, June 29, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Angus Lau, PhD
- Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
View Dr. Angus Lau’s scientific profile
Topic: “Using the MR-Linac to guide cancer treatments”
Objectives: Learn about functional imaging methods for adaptive radiotherapy
Dr. Arjun Sahgal
- Radiation Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre
- Senior Clinician Scientist, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
View Dr. Arjun’s scientific profile
Topic: “Promise of adaptive RT for GBM on the MR Linac”
Thursday, January 26, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Martin Yaffe, PhD, C.M. FRSC.
- Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Departments of Medical Imaging and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
- Director, Imaging Validation Core, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research,
- Chief Scientific Officer, Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization of Research
View Dr. Martin Yaffe’s scientific profile
Topic: “The Role of Imaging in Precision Medicine”
Objectives:
- To provide a better understanding of how quantitative imaging can inform and optimize detection, characterization and treatment of cancer
- To illustrate the use of multimodal imaging for cancer in the BIRL labs – radiohistogenomics
Dr. Ellen Warner, MD, FRCPC, FACP, MSc
- Medical Oncologist, Odette Cancer Centre
- Affiliate Scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Director of PYNK, Breast Cancer Program for Young Women, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
View Dr. Ellen Warner’s scientific profile
Topic: “Babies after breast cancer: From taboo to triumph”
Objectives:
- To understand reasons for the emergence and rapid growth of the field of oncofertility
- To be aware of the technique, effectiveness and limitations of the fertility preservation options
- To review current evidence regarding the safety of fertility preservation and pregnancy after breast cancer
Thursday, September 29, 2022 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Meaghan O’Reilly, PhD
- Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Associate Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
- Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Ultrasound, Tier 2
View Dr. Meaghan O’Reilly’s scientific profile
Topic: Developing Focused Ultrasound as a Treatment for Leptomeningeal Metastases
Objectives:
- To review non-thermal mechanisms of focused ultrasound (FUS) in the CNS
- To present on-going work in rodent models of leptomeningeal metastases
- To discuss clinical scale translation of technology for spine targeted FUS
Dr. Kasia Jerzak, MD, MSc, FRCPC
- Medical Oncologist, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Associate Scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Odette Cancer Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
View Dr. Kasia Jerzak’s scientific profile
Topic: Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Objectives:
- Discuss the risk of brain metastases among patients with metastatic breast cancer
- Review the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases
- Discuss risks/benefits of potential screening for brain metastases
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Chao Wang, PhD
- Scientist, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Canada Research Chair in Immunometabolism of Neuroinflammation (Tier 2)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Toronto
View Chao Wang’s scientific profile
Topic: From checkpoint molecule regulation to metabolic circuitry at single cell resolution
Rosanna Pezo, MD, PhD, FRCPC
- Affiliate Scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Medical Oncologist, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre
View Rosanna Pezo’s scientific profile
Topic: The role of precision medicine in the treatment of advanced breast cancer
Objectives:
- Overview of systemic therapy for metastatic breast cancer.
- Present current clinical research in genomics and precision medication in cancer and ongoing trials.
- Discuss challenges in identifying targetable alterations and match patients to genotype-matched clinical trials.
Thursday, May 26, 2022 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Anne L. Martel, PhD
- Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
- Senior Scientist, Imaging Research, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Vector Institute Faculty Affiliate
View Anne L. Martel’s scientific profile
Topic: “Applications of artificial intelligence in oncology”
Objectives:
- To understand how radiomics can be used to predict outcomes in brain and liver metastases
- To understand the challenges of applying deep learning methods to digital pathology images
- To introduce a plan to create an Artificial Intelligence Platform for Precision Medicine at SRI
William Tran, MRT(T), MSc, PhD
- Scientist, Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- RT Clinician Scientist
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Program
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
View William Tran’s scientific profile
Topic: “Precision Oncology in Breast Cancer Using Artificial Intelligence”
Objectives:
- Present clinical challenges in breast cancer
- Review artificial intelligence opportunities in precision breast oncology
- Present current research in diagnostic and theranostic applications
Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Iacovos Michael, PhD
- Scientist, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Assistant Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
View Iacovos Michael’s scientific profile
Topic: “Neuroendocrine tumors: phenotypic plasticity and prospects for precision oncology”
Objectives:
- Role of phenotypic plasticity in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
- Neuroendocrine transdifferentiation of epithelial cancers and brain metastasis
- Prospects of establishing a NET precision oncology program at Sunnybrook
Sten Myrehaug, MD FRCPC
- Affiliate scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Radiation Oncologist, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
Topic: “Evolution in the Role of Radiation in the Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors”
Objectives:
- Review current management of Neuroendocrine Malignancies
- Discuss current radiation oncology strategies for Neuroendocrine Malignancies
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Dr. Hon Leong, PhD
- Senior Scientist, Biological Sciences
- Associate Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics
View Dr. Hon Leong’s scientific profile
Topic: “Novel Prostate Cancer Biomarkers to Avoid Pyrrhic Victories in the Clinic”
Objectives:
- Explore the use of AI in liquid biopsy development.
- Extracellular vesicles as a novel biomarker platform.
- Evaluate alternate forms of PSA as a biomarker for clinically significant disease.
Dr. Andrew Loblaw, MD FRCPC
- Senior Scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Departments of Radiation Oncology and Health Policy Measurement and Evaluation, University of Toronto
- Co-Lead GU Disease Site Group, Odette Cancer Centre
View Dr. Andrew Loblaw’s scientific profile
Topic: “Changes in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer”
Objectives:
- To review changes in screening recommendations for prostate cancer.
- To understand the value of MRI in the diagnostic care path.
- To review advances in radiotherapy for the treatment of primary disease.
Thursday, February 24, 2022 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dr. Robert Kerbel, PhD
- Senior Scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
View Dr. Robert Kerbel’s scientific profile
Topic: “A pre-clinical strategy to improve prediction of treatment efficacy in breast cancer patients – what have we learned”
Dr. Eileen Rakovitch, MD MSc FRCPC
- Senior Scientist, LC Campbell Chair in Breast Cancer Research, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
- Adjunct Senior Scientist, IC/ES
- Program Research Director, Odette Cancer Program
View Dr. Eileen Rakovitch’s scientific profile
Topic: “The evolving role of genomic biomarkers in the management of ductal carcinoma In situ”
Research Centres
Jesse Chao
Scientist
Anne Martel
Senior Scientist
Artificial Intelligence • Cancer • Medical imaging
Julie Hallet
Associate scientist