Brenda Gallie MD, FRCSC

Dr. Gallie is an ophthalmologist who restricts her work to the rare cancer of children’s eyes, retinoblastoma. Dr. Gallie’s clinical and basic research focus on retinoblastoma has resulted in the discovery of fundamental principles of tumor suppressor genes and the regulation of activity of the retinoblastoma gene (RB) and protein. Dr. Gallie has developed a highly sensitive and cost effective methodology for identification of RB gene mutations at The Hospital for Sick Children and has demonstrated a beneficial impact on health care quality and economy. This work has achieved the only efficient and sensitive test for RB mutations in the world. Ongoing basic research studies address the molecular basis for the retinal tissue specificity of induction of cancer by RB mutation.

These studies in retinoblastoma tumors have defined the major mechanisms of multidrug resistance of the tumors. In response, Dr. Gallie and her collaborator Dr. Helen Chan developed a chemotherapy modification which has resulted in the best-yet success to save eyes with retinoblastoma. This world leadership in retinoblastoma has led Dr. Gallie to design, with the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, a randomized clinical trial to test the components of this protocol. Since retinoblastoma is rare, Dr. Gallie has organized international multicentre participation. Since the tumors are multifocal and therapy includes focal therapy, Dr. Gallie has designed a novel educational and audit tool for adherence to the protocol using the internet.