Satish K. Chitneni | Scholars@Duke

Satish K. Chitneni
Associate Professor in Radiology

The major focus of our research has been on the design, development and evaluation of novel radiotracers based on small molecules for imaging specific molecular targets using positron emission tomography (PET). The imaging targets are usually enzymes, cell surface receptors or transporters that are strongly implicated in or markers of diseases. Fluorine-18, which has a half-life of about 110 min, is ideally suited for radiolabeling of small molecules, and permits PET imaging studies for up to 4 h after injection in vivo. Other radioisotopes of interest for PET radiotracer development include carbon-11 and iodine-124, the latter one has a longer half-life (4.2 days) and enables imaging for up to 1 week after injection of the labeled probe. Another major area of interest include the use of PET imaging for evaluation of novel therapeutics in preclinical models of diseases.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor in Radiology, Radiology, Clinical Science Departments 2021
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2013
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers 2017

Contact Information

311 Research Drive, 161-D Bryan Research Building, Durham, NC 27710
Box 3949 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
satish.chitneni@duke.edu (919) 681-8081

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) 2007
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor in Radiology, Radiology, Clinical Science Departments 2019 - 2020
- Assistant Professor of Radiology, Radiology, Clinical Science Departments 2018 - 2019
- Assistant Professor of Radiology, Radiology, Clinical Science Departments 2011 - 2018
Leadership & Clinical Positions at Duke
- Director, Translational PET/CT Molecular Imaging Center
Expertise
Subject Headings
Research
Selected Grants
- Flourine-18 labeled MDM2 antagonists for PET imaging awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2023
- Exercise-induced recovery of intervertebral disc health awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2022
- Labeling nanobodies with 18F residualizing labels for HER2 specific PET imaging awarded by National Institutes of Health 2015 - 2021
- EGFRvIII-targeted Bispecific T cell Engagers for brain tumors awarded by National Institutes of Health 2013 - 2019
- Novel Approach to Quantify Nicotinic Receptor Upregulation in Smokers awarded by National Institutes of Health 2014 - 2017
- Imaging IDH1 Mutations in Glioma and Other Malignancies awarded by National Institutes of Health 2014 - 2016
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Zhou, Zhengyuan, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Satish K. Chitneni. “Stapled peptides as scaffolds for developing radiotracers for intracellular targets: Preliminary evaluation of a radioiodinated MDM2-binding stapled peptide in the SJSA-1 osteosarcoma model.” Bioorg Med Chem Lett 66 (June 15, 2022): 128725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128725.
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  - Zhou, Zhengyuan, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Satish K. Chitneni. “Fluorine-18 Labeling of the MDM2 Inhibitor RG7388 for PET Imaging: Chemistry and Preliminary Evaluation.” Mol Pharm 18, no. 10 (October 4, 2021): 3871–81. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00531.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Zhengyuan Zhou, Brian E. Watts, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “Feasibility of Developing Radiotracers for MDM2: Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of an 18F-Labeled Analogue of the MDM2 Inhibitor SP-141.” Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 14, no. 4 (April 13, 2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14040358.
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  - Du, Kuo, Satish K. Chitneni, Ayako Suzuki, Ying Wang, Ricardo Henao, Jeongeun Hyun, Richard T. Premont, et al. “Increased Glutaminolysis Marks Active Scarring in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Progression.” Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 10, no. 1 (2020): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.12.006.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Eftychia Koumarianou, Ganesan Vaidyanathan, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “Observations on the Effects of Residualization and Dehalogenation on the Utility of N-Succinimidyl Ester Acylation Agents for Radioiodination of the Internalizing Antibody Trastuzumab.” Molecules 24, no. 21 (October 30, 2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24213907.
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  - Gedeon, Patrick C., Teilo H. Schaller, Satish K. Chitneni, Bryan D. Choi, Chien-Tsun Kuan, Carter M. Suryadevara, David J. Snyder, et al. “A Rationally Designed Fully Human EGFRvIII:CD3-Targeted Bispecific Antibody Redirects Human T Cells to Treat Patient-derived Intracerebral Malignant Glioma.” Clin Cancer Res 24, no. 15 (August 1, 2018): 3611–31. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-17-0126.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Hai Yan, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “Synthesis and Evaluation of a 18F-Labeled Triazinediamine Analogue for Imaging Mutant IDH1 Expression in Gliomas by PET.” Acs Med Chem Lett 9, no. 7 (July 12, 2018): 606–11. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.7b00478.
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  - Zhou, Zhengyuan, Satish K. Chitneni, Nick Devoogdt, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Ganesan Vaidyanathan. “Fluorine-18 labeling of an anti-HER2 VHH using a residualizing prosthetic group via a strain-promoted click reaction: Chemistry and preliminary evaluation.” Bioorg Med Chem 26, no. 8 (May 1, 2018): 1939–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2018.02.040.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Zachary J. Reitman, Rebecca Spicehandler, David M. Gooden, Hai Yan, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “Synthesis and evaluation of radiolabeled AGI-5198 analogues as candidate radiotracers for imaging mutant IDH1 expression in tumors.” Bioorg Med Chem Lett 28, no. 4 (February 15, 2018): 694–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.01.015.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Zachary J. Reitman, David M. Gooden, Hai Yan, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “Radiolabeled inhibitors as probes for imaging mutant IDH1 expression in gliomas: Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of labeled butyl-phenyl sulfonamide analogs.” Eur J Med Chem 119 (August 25, 2016): 218–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.04.066.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K. “IDH1 Mutations in Glioma: Considerations for Radiotracer Development.” Sm Radiol J 2, no. 1 (2016).
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Gerald T. Bida, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Mark W. Dewhirst. “Reply: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modifiers of EF5 Uptake and Binding.” J Nucl Med 56, no. 4 (April 2015): 653–54. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.115.154054.
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  - Pruszynski, Marek, Eftychia Koumarianou, Ganesan Vaidyanathan, Satish Chitneni, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “D-Amino acid peptide residualizing agents bearing N-hydroxysuccinimido- and maleimido-functional groups and their application for trastuzumab radioiodination.” Nucl Med Biol 42, no. 1 (January 2015): 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2014.08.007.
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  - Safi, Rachid, Erik R. Nelson, Satish K. Chitneni, Katherine J. Franz, Daniel J. George, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Donald P. McDonnell. “Copper signaling axis as a target for prostate cancer therapeutics.” Cancer Res 74, no. 20 (October 15, 2014): 5819–31. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-3527.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Gerald T. Bida, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Mark W. Dewhirst. “Comparison of the Hypoxia PET Tracer (18)F-EF5 to Immunohistochemical Marker EF5 in 3 Different Human Tumor Xenograft Models.” J Nucl Med 55, no. 7 (July 2014): 1192–97. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.114.137448.
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  - Akurathi, Vamsidhar, Ludwig Dubois, Sofie Celen, Natasja G. Lieuwes, Satish K. Chitneni, Bernard J. Cleynhens, Alessio Innocenti, et al. “Development and biological evaluation of ⁹⁹mTc-sulfonamide derivatives for in vivo visualization of CA IX as surrogate tumor hypoxia markers.” Eur J Med Chem 71 (January 2014): 374–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.10.027.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Gerald T. Bida, Hong Yuan, Gregory M. Palmer, Michael P. Hay, Thorsten Melcher, William R. Wilson, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Mark W. Dewhirst. “18F-EF5 PET imaging as an early response biomarker for the hypoxia-activated prodrug SN30000 combined with radiation treatment in a non-small cell lung cancer xenograft model.” J Nucl Med 54, no. 8 (August 2013): 1339–46. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.112.116293.
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  - Deroose, Christophe M., Satish K. Chitneni, Rik Gijsbers, Peter Vermaelen, Abdelilah Ibrahimi, Jan Balzarini, Veerle Baekelandt, et al. “Preliminary validation of varicella zoster virus thymidine kinase as a novel reporter gene for PET.” Nucl Med Biol 39, no. 8 (November 2012): 1266–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2012.06.014.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Gerald T. Bida, Mark W. Dewhirst, and Michael R. Zalutsky. “A simplified synthesis of the hypoxia imaging agent 2-(2-Nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-[(18)F]pentafluoropropyl)-acetamide ([18F]EF5).” Nucl Med Biol 39, no. 7 (October 2012): 1012–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2012.05.006.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Gerald T. Bida, Michael P. Hay, Michael R. Zalutsky, Thorsten Melcher, William R. Wilson, and Mark W. Dewhirst. “Abstract 5306:¹⁸F-EF5 microPET imaging of treatment response from a novel, hypoxia-selective cytotoxin SN30000 in a human lung cancer xenograft model.” Tumor Biology, April 15, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.am2011-5306.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Gregory M. Palmer, Michael R. Zalutsky, and Mark W. Dewhirst. “Molecular imaging of hypoxia.” J Nucl Med 52, no. 2 (February 2011): 165–68. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.110.075663.
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  - Celen, Sofie, Michel Koole, Meri De Angelis, Ivan Sannen, Satish K. Chitneni, Jesus Alcazar, Stefanie Dedeurwaerdere, et al. “Preclinical evaluation of 18F-JNJ41510417 as a radioligand for PET imaging of phosphodiesterase-10A in the brain.” J Nucl Med 51, no. 10 (October 2010): 1584–91. https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.110.077040.
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  - Akurathi, Vamsidhar, Ludwig Dubois, Natasja G. Lieuwes, Satish K. Chitneni, Bernard J. Cleynhens, Daniela Vullo, Claudiu T. Supuran, Alfons M. Verbruggen, Philippe Lambin, and Guy M. Bormans. “Synthesis and biological evaluation of a 99mTc-labelled sulfonamide conjugate for in vivo visualization of carbonic anhydrase IX expression in tumor hypoxia.” Nucl Med Biol 37, no. 5 (July 2010): 557–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2010.02.006.
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  - Akurathi, V., L. Dubois, N. G. Lieuwes, S. K. Chitneni, B. J. Cleynhens, A. M. Verbruggen, P. Lambin, and G. Bormans. “Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 99mTc-Labelled Aminoethylbenzenesulfonamide Conjugate for In vivo Visualisation of Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX) Expression in Tumor Hypoxia.” European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 36 (September 1, 2009): S309–S309.
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  - Celen, S., M. De Angelis, S. K. Chitneni, J. Alcazar, M. Koole, S. Dedeurwaerdere, T. Steckler, et al. “Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of [F-18]JNJ41510417as a radioligand for positron emission tomography imaging of phosphodiesterase-10A in the brain.” European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 36 (September 1, 2009): S236–S236.
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  - Akurathi, V., L. Dubois, N. Lieuwes, S. K. Chitneni, B. Cleynhens, A. Verbruggen, P. Lambin, and G. Bormans. “SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF A NEGATIVELY CHARGED 99mTc-LABELLED AMINOETHYLBENZENE SULFONAMIDE CONJUGATE FOR IN VIVO VISUALISATION OF CARBONIC ANHYDRASE IX (CA IX) EXPRESSION AS A SURROGATE MARKER OF TUMOR HYPOXIA.” Journal of Labelled Compounds & Radiopharmaceuticals 52 (January 1, 2009): S135–S135.
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  - Akurathi, V., S. Chitneni, B. Cleynhens, A. Verbruggen, and G. Bormans. “DEVELOPMENT AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF A 11C LABELED SULFONAMIDE DERIVATES AS POTENTIAL PET TRACER FOR BLOOD POOL IMAGING.” Journal of Labelled Compounds & Radiopharmaceuticals 52 (January 1, 2009): S341–S341.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Kim Serdons, Nele Evens, Humphrey Fonge, Sofie Celen, Christophe M. Deroose, Zeger Debyser, Luc Mortelmans, Alfons M. Verbruggen, and Guy M. Bormans. “Efficient purification and metabolite analysis of radiotracers using high-performance liquid chromatography and on-line solid-phase extraction.” J Chromatogr A 1189, no. 1–2 (May 2, 2008): 323–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2007.10.084.
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  - Chitneni, S. K., J. Balzarini, S. Celen, N. Dyubankova, A. M. Verbruggen, and G. M. Bormans. “Synthesis and biological evaluation of carbon-11-labeled acyclic and furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives of bicyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs) for structure-brain uptake relationship study of BCNA tracers.” Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals 51, no. 3 (March 15, 2008): 159–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/jlcr.1494.
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  - Celen, Sofie, Christophe Deroose, Tjibbe de Groot, Satish K. Chitneni, Rik Gijsbers, Zeger Debyser, Luc Mortelmans, Alfons Verbruggen, and Guy Bormans. “Synthesis and evaluation of 18F- and 11C-labeled phenyl-galactopyranosides as potential probes for in vivo visualization of LacZ gene expression using positron emission tomography.” Bioconjug Chem 19, no. 2 (February 2008): 441–49. https://doi.org/10.1021/bc700216d.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Lucette Garreau, Bernard Cleynhens, Nele Evens, Marva Bex, Peter Vermaelen, Sylvie Chalon, et al. “Improved synthesis and metabolic stability analysis of the dopamine transporter ligand [(18)F]FECT.” Nucl Med Biol 35, no. 1 (January 2008): 75–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2007.09.001.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Christophe M. Deroose, Jan Balzarini, Rik Gijsbers, Sofie Celen, Zeger Debyser, Luc Mortelmans, Alfons M. Verbruggen, and Guy M. Bormans. “A p-[18F]fluoroethoxyphenyl bicyclic nucleoside analogue as a potential positron emission tomography imaging agent for varicella-zoster virus thymidine kinase gene expression.” J Med Chem 50, no. 26 (December 27, 2007): 6627–37. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm700971p.
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  - Fonge, Humphrey, Satish K. Chitneni, Jin Lixin, Kathleen Vunckx, Kristof Prinsen, Johan Nuyts, Luc Mortelmans, Guy Bormans, Yicheng Ni, and Alfons Verbruggen. “Necrosis avidity of (99m)Tc(CO)3-labeled pamoic acid derivatives: synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation in animal models of necrosis.” Bioconjug Chem 18, no. 6 (November 2007): 1924–34. https://doi.org/10.1021/bc700236j.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Christophe M. Deroose, Humphrey Fonge, Rik Gijsbers, Natalia Dyubankova, Jan Balzarini, Zeger Debyser, Luc Mortelmans, Alfons M. Verbruggen, and Guy M. Bormans. “Synthesis and biological evaluation of an 123I-labeled bicyclic nucleoside analogue (BCNA) as potential SPECT tracer for VZV-tk reporter gene imaging.” Bioorg Med Chem Lett 17, no. 12 (June 15, 2007): 3458–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2007.03.081.
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  - Chitneni, S. K., T. De Ruymaeker, J. Balzarini, A. M. Verbruggen, and G. M. Bormans. “Synthesis and biological evaluation of a lipophilic, fluorine-18-labeled 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine derivative.” Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals 50, no. 7 (June 1, 2007): 649–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/jlcr.1312.
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  - Toelen, Jaan, Christophe M. Deroose, Rik Gijsbers, Veerle Reumers, Lourenço N. Sbragia, Sofie Vets, Satish K. Chitneni, et al. “Fetal gene transfer with lentiviral vectors: long-term in vivo follow-up evaluation in a rat model.” Am J Obstet Gynecol 196, no. 4 (April 2007): 352.e1-352.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2007.01.038.
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  - Chitneni, Satish K., Christophe M. Deroose, Jan Balzarini, Rik Gijsbers, Sofie J. L. Celen, Tjibbe J. de Groot, Zeger Debyser, Luc Mortelmans, Alfons M. Verbruggen, and Guy M. Bormans. “Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of 18F- or 11C-labeled bicyclic nucleoside analogues as potential probes for imaging varicella-zoster virus thymidine kinase gene expression using positron emission tomography.” J Med Chem 50, no. 5 (March 8, 2007): 1041–49. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm060964m.
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  - Chitneni, S., C. Deroose, J. Balzarini, A. Verbruggen, and G. Bormans. “Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of F-18 and C-11 labeled bi-cyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs) as potential PET reporter probes for imaging varicella-zoster virus thymidine kinase (VZV-tk) gene expression.” European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 33 (September 1, 2006): S175–S175.
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  - Chitneni, S., B. Cleynhens, T. de Groot, A. Verbruggen, and G. Bormans. “A New Precursor for a High Yield Synthesis of[F-18]FHBG.” European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 32 (September 1, 2005): S268–69.
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- Conference Papers
  - Chitneni, Satish, Zachary Reitman, Hai Yan, and Michael Zalutsky. “Radioiodinated AGI-5198 for in vivo imaging of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation in gliomas.” In Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Vol. 55. SOC NUCLEAR MEDICINE INC, 2014.
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  - Chitneni, Satish, Gerald Bida, Mark Dewhirst, and Michael Zalutsky. “A simplified synthesis of the hypoxia imaging agent 2-(2-Nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-[18F]pentafluoropropyl)-acetamide([18F]EF5).” In Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Vol. 52. SOC NUCLEAR MEDICINE INC, 2011.
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  - Celen, Sofie, Michel Koole, Meri De Angelis, Ivan Sannen, Satish K. Chitneni, Jesus Alcazar, Stefanie Dedeurwaerdere, et al. “[18F]JNJ41510417 a potential PET radioligand for imaging phosphodiesterase-10A in the brain.” In Neuroimage, 52:S15–S15. Elsevier BV, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.04.200.
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  - Celen, S., M. De Angelis, S. K. Chitneni, J. Alcazar, M. Koole, S. Dedeurwaerdere, T. Steckler, et al. “Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of [F-18]JNJ41510417as a radioligand for positron emission tomography imaging of phosphodiesterase-10A in the brain.” In European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 36:236–236. SPRINGER, 2009.
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  - Chitneni, S. K., J. Balzarini, A. Verbruggen, and G. Bormans. “Synthesis and biological evaluation of C-11-labeled acyclic- and furo[2,3-d] pyrimidine derivative of bicyclic nucleoside analogs (BCNAs) for structure-brain uptake relationship study of BCNA tracers.” In European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 34:S331–32. SPRINGER, 2007.
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  - Kumar Chitneni, Satish, Cindy Govaerts, Erwin Adams, Ann Van Schepdael, and Jos Hoogmartens. “Identification of impurities in erythromycin by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric detection.” In J Chromatogr A, 1056:111–20, 2004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2004.07.091.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Teaching Activities
- MP745 - Advanced Topics in Nuclear Medicine (Guest Lectures)

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Previous Appointments & Affiliations

Leadership & Clinical Positions at Duke

Subject Headings

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Conference Papers

Teaching Activities