James Rutka

Dr. James Rutka, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, FAAP, is a world-renowned neurosurgeon from Toronto, Canada. His clinical practice is at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and he is currently the R.S. McLaughlin Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Neurosurgery, and the Director of the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre. He has published over 375 peer-reviewed publications and his laboratory has been continuously funded since 1992 with grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. He is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery, the Journal of Neuro-Oncology, and Neuro-Oncology. His clinical and research interests focus on brain tumours in children and the surgical treatment of epilepsy in children. Dr. Rutka is also noted for leading neurosurgical missions in Ukraine to improve the ease of medical care access for children with complex neurosurgical diseases.

Education and Training

Born in Toronto, Dr. Rutka attended Princeton University (1977) and went to Queen’s University for medical school (1981). After graduating, he received the following training:

• Internship; McGill University (1982)
• Neurosurgery Training Program; University of Toronto
• Post-doctoral Research Fellowship; Brain Tumor Research Centre, University of California San Francisco (1984-87)
• PhD, Experimental Pathology; University of California San Francisco (1987)
• Clinical Fellowship, Microvascular Neurosurgery; University of Nagoya, Japan – Under the supervision of Dr. Kenichiro Sugita (1990)
• Post-doctoral Research Fellowship, Molecular Immunology; Juntendo University, Tokyo (1990)

Dr. Rutka assumed his appointment with the University of Toronto’s Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery in 1990. Since then, he has been on surgical staff at the Hospital for Sick Children in the Division of Paediatric Neurosurgery.

Current Appointments

Dr. Rutka currently holds the following positions:

• R.S. McLaughlin Professor and Chair; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
• Director; Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Toronto (1998 – present)
• Editor-in-Chief; The Journal of Neurosurgery
• Professor; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
• Senior Scientist; Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children
• Staff Surgeon; Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children

R.S. McLaughlin Professor and Chair

Following an international search led by Dean Catharine Whiteside of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Dr. Rutka was installed as the R.S. McLaughlin Chair of Surgery in April 2011.

In Dr. Rutka’s first message as Chair, he stated his vision and direction for this influential position:

“My vision for the Department of Surgery, stated quite simply, is to bring us to a stage where we are recognized continentally and internationally as world leader in surgery using the traditional metrics that are applied to such rankings including peer reviewed publications, grant capture, surgical expertise, education and innovation. To accomplish this task, we will need to focus our efforts on enhancing the curricula of our medical students, residents and fellows; we will need to recruit and retain the best and brightest faculty; we will need to continue to raise additional funds for new Chairs, initiatives and programs; and we will need to work diligently within and outside the Toronto Central LHIN to garner the strong international reputation that we so deserve.”

Dr. Rutka is currently addressing these important changes through the Department of Surgery’s Strategic Plan, Transforming Surgery: Beyond the Cutting Edge 2012-2017. It can be read online: http://surgery.utoronto.ca/about/strategic-plan.htm

Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Toronto

The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre brings together scientists and clinicians studying the problem of human brain tumours from The Hospital for Sick Children and the University Health Network of the University of Toronto teaching hospital system. This centre has achieved excellence in molecular neuro-oncology research focusing on basic and applied research involving different tumour types of the central nervous system. The research at the Labatt Centre encompasses all types of malignant brain tumours and focuses on the in depth molecular and genetic characterization of tumours, the targeting of cancer stem cells, and the molecular processes involved in brain tumour angiogenesis and invasion. Established in 1997 following a generous philanthropic donation by Arthur and Sonia Labatt, the Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre now houses over 100 full-time scientists, clinician:scientists, research associates, technicians, post-doctoral fellows, and PhD and Masters students, making it one of the world’s largest institutions for the study of human brain tumours (http://www.sickkids.ca/Research/BTRC/).

Collaboration with CRP-Santé Luxembourg:

Dr. James Rutka travelled to Luxembourg on March 7, 2013, to visit the Norlux Neuro-Oncology Research Laboratory in Luxembourg City. There, he signed a collaborative document celebrating the research collaboration agreement between the Labatt BTRC and CRP-Santé. This new initiative brings forward the international recognition and scientific expertise of CRP-Santé throughout the Norlux-Neuro-Oncology Laboratory - and its partner in Bergen Norway - which represents one of the widest European research centres focusing on glioblastoma. The collaboration between SickKids and CRP-Santé will be from now on an opportunity to set up exchanges of scientists, expertise and materials and to conduct joint research projects in the areas of advanced basic science and applied translational research.

Journal of Neurosurgery

In 2013, D. Rutka was appointed as the 7th Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Neurosurgery. He is the first Canadian neurosurgeon to hold this prestigious position.

Previous Appointments

• Dan Family Chair in Neurosurgery; University of Toronto (1999-2010)
• Harold Hoffman Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery; The Hospital for Sick Children (1998-1999)

International Outreach

In the spring of 2013, Dr. Rutka traveled with fellow neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Bernstein of the Toronto Western Hospital, to Ukraine to help implement the Ukraine Pediatric Fellowship Program in fellowship with the Hospital. The program provides physicians from Ukraine with the opportunity to participate in paediatric specializations and intensive training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, as well as in their medical centres in Ukraine. This program will help ensure that Ukrainian children with complex and specific health issues are better able to access the care they need in their home country. The medical director of the Ukraine Pediatric Fellowship Program is Dr. Myroslava Romach.

Distinctions

Dr. Rutka has been awarded with several distinctions and prizes throughout the course of his career.

• Fellow; American Surgical Association (2013 – Present)
• Fellow; Royal Society of Canada (2011 – Present)
• President; World Academy of Neurological Surgery (November 2011-13)
• President; American Academy of Neurological Surgery (October 2011)
• President; American Association of Neurological Surgeons (May 2010)
• Honoured Guest; Annual Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (2009)
• Knight of the Order of Smile, Kawaler Orderu Usmiechu (2006)

American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)

Dr. Rutka has been an active member of the AANS since 1983 and served on the AANS Board of Directors since 2003. He completed a one-year term as President-Elect and three-year term as Secretary of the AANS, in addition to serving as Chair of the 2006 AANS Annual Meeting and Chair of the Scientific Program Committee in 2005. He has been a member of the following AANS committees: Executive, Finance, the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation Executive Council, Neurosurgery PAC Board of Directors, and Strategic Planning. In 2011, Dr. Rutka served as the President of the AANS during its Annual Meeting in Denver, April 9-13th. Dr. Rutka is only the 4th Canadian neurosurgeon to serve as President of the AANS since its establishment in 1932.

Awards

• Charles B. Wilson Award; AANS/CNS Section on Tumors (2013)
• Ab Guha Award; Society of Neuro-Oncology (2012)
• Farber Award; AANS/CNS Section of Tumors for longstanding contributions to neuro-oncology research (2005)
• Grass Award; Society of Neurological Surgeons (2004)
• Nation Builder in Canada; The Globe and Mail (2002)
• Lister Award; University of Toronto, for sustained contribution to surgical research (2001)

Research and Clinical Interests

Dr. Rutka’s primary research and clinical interest relate to the science and surgery of human brain tumours. His laboratory focuses on the molecular biology of the mechanisms in which brain tumours grow and invade. As well, some of his recent research and clinical interests have focused on the surgical treatment of epilepsy in children. `

One of Dr. Rutka’s recent projects uses a unique strategy to explore the origins of medulloblastoma – one of the most common malignant brain tumours in children. By combining the study of epigenetic factors and genetic changes, he hopes to yield a better understanding of how the disease develops and ultimately provide targets for new treatment.

Selected Publications

• Rutka JT. Editorial: Leading transition while maintaining tradition. J Neurosurg. 2013 Jun 4
• Gawad N, Moussa F, Christakis GT, Rutka JT. Planting the 'SEAD': early comprehensive exposure to surgery for medical students. J Surg Educ. 2013 Jul-Aug;70(4):487-94.
• Seol HJ, Chang JH, Yamamoto J, Romagnuolo R, Suh Y, Weeks A, Agnihotri S, Smith CA, Rutka JT: Overexpression of CD99 increases the migration and invasiveness of human malignant glioma cells. Genes Cancer 2012: 3(9-10): pp 535-549.
• Diaz RJ, Guduk M, Romagnuolo R, Smith CA, Northcott P, Shih D, Berisha F, Flanagan A, Munoz DG, Cusimano MD, Pamir MN, Rutka JT. High-resolution whole-genome analysis of skull base chordomas implicates FHIT loss in chordoma pathogenesis. Neoplasia. 2012 Sep;14(9):788-98.
• Northcott PA, Shih DJ, Peacock J, Garzia L, Morrissy AS, Zichner T, Stütz AM, Korshunov A, Reimand J, Schumacher SE, Beroukhim R, Ellison DW, Marshall CR, Lionel AC, Mack S, Dubuc A, Yao Y, Ramaswamy V, Luu B, Rolider A, Cavalli FM, Wang X, Remke M, Wu X, Chiu RY, Chu A, Chuah E, Corbett RD, Hoad GR, Jackman SD, Li Y, Lo A, Mungall KL, Nip KM, Qian JQ, Raymond AG, Thiessen NT, Varhol RJ, Birol I, Moore RA, Mungall AJ, Holt R, Kawauchi D, Roussel MF, Kool M, Jones DT, Witt H, Fernandez-L A, Kenney AM, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Dirks P, Aviv T, Grajkowska WA, Perek-Polnik M, Haberler CC, Delattre O, Reynaud SS, Doz FF, Pernet-Fattet SS, Cho BK, Kim SK, Wang KC, Scheurlen W, Eberhart CG, Fèvre-Montange M, Jouvet A, Pollack IF, Fan X, Muraszko KM, Gillespie GY, Di Rocco C, Massimi L, Michiels EM, Kloosterhof NK, French PJ, Kros JM, Olson JM, Ellenbogen RG, Zitterbart K, Kren L, Thompson RC, Cooper MK, Lach B, McLendon RE, Bigner DD, Fontebasso A, Albrecht S, Jabado N, Lindsey JC, Bailey S, Gupta N, Weiss WA, Bognár L, Klekner A, Van Meter TE, Kumabe T, Tominaga T, Elbabaa SK, Leonard JR, Rubin JB, Liau LM, Van Meir EG, Fouladi M, Nakamura H, Cinalli G, Garami M, Hauser P, Saad AG, Iolascon A, Jung S, Carlotti CG, Vibhakar R, Ra YS, Robinson S, Zollo M, Faria CC, Chan JA, Levy ML, Sorensen PH, Meyerson M, Pomeroy SL, Cho YJ, Bader GD, Tabori U, Hawkins CE, Bouffet E, Scherer SW, Rutka JT, Malkin D, Clifford SC, Jones SJ, Korbel JO, Pfister SM, Marra MA, Taylor MD. Subgroup-specific structural variation across 1,000 medulloblastoma genomes. Nature. 2012 Aug 2;488(7409):49-56.
• Weeks A, Okolowsky N, Golbourn B, Ivanchuk S, Smith C, Rutka JT. ECT2 and RASAL2 mediate mesenchymal-amoeboid transition in human astrocytoma cells. Am J Pathol. 2012 Aug;181(2):662-74.
• Diaz RJ, Golbourn B, Shekarforoush M, Smith CA, Rutka JT. Aurora kinase B/C inhibition impairs malignant glioma growth in vivo. J Neurooncol. 2012 Jul;108(3):349-60.
• Rutka JT: Discovering neurosurgery: New frontiers. Journal Neurosurgery 2011: 115: pp 1053-1066.
• Etame AB, Diaz RJ,O'Reilly MA, Smith CA, Mainprize TG, Hynynen K, Rutka JT. Enhanced delivery of gold nanoparticles with therapeutic potential into the brain using MRI-guided focused ultrasound. Nanomedicine. 2012 Oct;8(7):1133-42.
• Witt H, Mack SC, Ryzhova M, Bender S, Sill M, Isserlin R, Benner A, Hielscher T, Milde T, Remke M, Jones DT, Northcott PA, Garzia L, Bertrand KC, Wittmann A, Yao Y, Roberts SS, Massimi L, Van Meter T, Weiss WA, Gupta N, Grajkowska W, Lach B, Cho YJ, von Deimling A, Kulozik AE, Witt O, Bader GD, Hawkins CE, Tabori U, Guha A, Rutka JT, Lichter P, Korshunov A, Taylor MD, Pfister SM. Delineation of two clinically and molecularly distinct subgroups of posterior fossa ependymoma. Cancer Cell. 2011 Aug 16;20(2):143-57.
• Faria CMC, Rutka JT, Smith C, Kongkham P: Epigenetic mechanisms regulating neural development and pediatric brain tumor formation. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 2011: 8: pp 1-14.
• PA, Korshunov A, Witt H, Hielscher T, Eberhart CG, Mack S, Bouffet E, Clifford SC, Hawkins CE, French P, Rutka JT, Pfister S, Taylor MD. Medulloblastoma comprises four distinct molecular variants. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Apr 10;29(11):1408-14.
• Kim BY, Rutka JT, Chan WC. Nanomedicine. N Engl J Med. 2010 Dec 16;363(25):2434-43.
• Kongkham P, Northcott P, Ra YS, Nakahara Y, Mainprize TG, Croul SC, Smith CA, Taylor MD, Rutka JT: An epigenetic genome-wide screen identifies SPINT2 as a novel tumor suppressor gene in pediatric medulloblastoma. Cancer Research 2008: 68(23): pp 9945-9953.