Michael Rod Zalutsky

Michael Rod Zalutsky is the Jonathan Spicehandler, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Neuro-Oncology in the School of Medicine at Duke University. He also holds professorships in Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, Pathology, and Radiation Oncology, and is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute. His extensive academic appointments reflect his interdisciplinary research at the intersection of nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceutical chemistry, and cancer therapy.

Dr. Zalutsky earned his M.A. in 1972 and Ph.D. in 1974, both from Washington University in St. Louis. His educational background provided the foundation for his pioneering work in radiopharmaceutical development.

Dr. Zalutsky's research laboratory focuses on the development of novel radioactive compounds for improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. His work primarily involves radiohalogenation of biomolecules via site-specific approaches, generally via demetallation reactions. His team utilizes radionuclides including I-123, I-124, and F-18 for imaging (particularly for PET imaging of biochemical processes), and astatine-211 for therapy due to its alpha-particle emissions which offer extremely focal irradiation of malignant cells while sparing neighboring healthy tissue. His research spans multiple areas including targeted alpha therapy, radiopharmaceutical chemistry, antibody engineering, and molecular imaging.

An analysis of Dr. Zalutsky's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advancing prostate cancer theranostics through PSMA-targeted agents, particularly using astatine-211 for alpha-particle therapy. His work also prominently features the development of single-domain antibody fragments (nanobodies) for targeted imaging and therapy, with applications in breast cancer, glioblastoma, and other malignancies. A significant portion of his recent work addresses the challenge of reducing off-target uptake (particularly in kidneys and salivary glands) while maintaining high tumor targeting efficacy.

• Aebersold Award, Society of Nuclear Medicine (2007)
• MERIT Award, National Institutes of Health (2005)

Dr. Zalutsky has led numerous research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and other organizations, focusing on the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment. His laboratory has made significant contributions to the field of targeted alpha therapy, particularly with astatine-211 labeled compounds. He has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical sciences.

Dr. Zalutsky leads a multidisciplinary research team that includes radiochemists, molecular biologists, and imaging specialists working together to develop the next generation of targeted radiopharmaceuticals. His laboratory has developed several innovative techniques for radiohalogenation of biomolecules, with particular expertise in site-specific labeling approaches that enhance in vivo stability and tumor targeting.