Scholars@Duke
Michael Rod Zalutsky

Michael Rod Zalutsky

Jonathan Spicehandler, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Neuro Oncology, in the School of Medicine
Radiology
zalut001@mc.duke.edu
Box 3808 Med Ctr, Durham, NC
311 Research Drive, 161H Bryan Res Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview

The overall objective of our laboratory is the development of novel radioactive compounds for improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This work primarily involves radiohalo-genation of biomolecules via site-specific approaches, generally via demetallation reactions. Radionuclides utilized for imaging include I-123, I-124 and F-18, the later two being of particular interest because they can be used for the quantification of biochemical and physiological processes in the living human through positron emission tomography. For therapy, astatine-211 decays by the emission of alpha-particles, a type of radiation considerably more cytotoxic that the beta-particles used in conventional endoradiotherapy. The range of At-211 alpha particles is only a few cell diameters, offering the possibility of extremely focal irradiation of malignant cells while leaving neighboring cells intact. Highlights of recent work include: a)
development of reagents for protein and peptide radioiodination that decrease deiodination in vivo by up to 100-fold, b) demonstration that At-211 labeled monoclonal antibodies are effective in the treatment of a rat model of neoplastic meningitis, c) synthesis of a thymidine analogue labeled with At-211 and the demonstration that this molecule is taken up in cellular DNA with highly cytotoxicity even at levels of only one atom bound per cell and d) development of
radiohalobenzylguanidines which are specifically cytotoxic for human neuroblastoma cells.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Jonathan Spicehandler, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Neuro Oncology, in the School of Medicine · 2008 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Radiology · 2018 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Radiation Oncology · 2009 - Present Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Pathology · 2017 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Biomedical Engineering · 2024 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1985 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Education, Training & Certifications

Washington University in St. Louis · 1974 Ph.D.
Washington University in St. Louis · 1972 M.A.

External Links

Google Scholar