Overview

Dr. Petros received an Artium Baccalaureatus Degree in chemistry and biology from Washington University in St. Louis. He attended medical school at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, and completed his urology residency training at Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. In 1993, Dr. Petros joined the Emory Department of Urology as an academic faculty urologist and scientist, and has been the principal investigator of his own basic science laboratory ever since. While maintaining a robust clinical schedule, he has sustained continuous extramural funding for his laboratory for over 20 years. Dr. Petros is a Diplomate of the American Board of Urology (1995).

Dr. Petros is a known pioneer in the field of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in prostate cancer, and was the first investigator to show that inherited mutations of this genome result in increased likelihood of developing prostate cancer. His studies revealed that mtDNA mutations exert their cancer promoting influence by altering the production of cellular reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, which in turn activate a cascade of tumor-promoting molecular events. The ultimate clinical translation of these findings would be the development of novel therapies targeting these molecules.

This research also holds the promise of further adapting treatment to the particular patient, in that patients could be identified that have inherited these gene mutations and selected for more intensive screening and early intervention. Dr. Petros also found that mutations in the mtDNA are more common in African American patients with prostate cancer than white patients, which could be responsible for certain health disparities that result in African American men being at higher risk for developing and/or dying of prostate cancer.

In addition, Dr. Petros is conducting research designed to develop a new diagnostic blood or urine test for kidney cancer.

Dr. Petros is active in faith-based medical missions, and his involvement has included trips to Ghana, El Salvador, and Mexico.

Academic Appointment

• Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
• Professor of Urology (with tenure), Emory University School of Medicine
• Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
• Full Member, Winship Cancer Institute (Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Program), Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Research