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Robert W. Mutter, M.D.

  1. Radiation Oncologist

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Robert W. Mutter, M.D., investigates ways to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with resistant breast cancer (residual breast cancer after preoperative chemotherapy) through an improved understanding of breast cancer biology and DNA repair.

Dr. Mutter also studies particle therapy from multiple points of view, including identifying patients most likely to benefit, optimizing combined modality therapy, integrating proton therapy with breast reconstruction, and tailoring fractionation schedules and delivery to reduce the side effects of treatment.

Focus areas:

  • Discovery of novel radiosensitizing targets for high-risk breast cancer. Dr. Mutter's laboratory focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets that manipulate the DNA damage response of breast cancer cells in order to overcome treatment resistance. He also investigates biomarkers of response in order to select the right patients for each approach.
  • Particle therapy for breast cancer. Dr. Mutter leads clinical trials investigating pencil-beam scanning proton therapy, a technology that reduces exposures to the heart, lungs, and other soft tissues, for early-stage and locally advanced breast cancer. in addition, his laboratory studies how differences in the response of cancer cells to DNA damage can be exploited by particle therapy to improve the therapeutic ratio, including how best to combing proton therapy with new biologically targeted agents.
  • Novel fractionation schedules. Dr. Mutter designs novel fractionation schedules for patients with breast cancer treated with photons, protons, and brachytherapy in order to reduce the side effects of treatment and minimize the inconvenience and cost of cancer care.
  • Radiotherapy and breast reconstruction. Dr. Mutter specializes in the multidisciplinary care and delivery of radiotherapy in women with breast reconstruction after mastectomy. He studies ways to deliver breast cancer radiotherapy with less exposure to normal tissue, less toxicity to the reconstruction and improved outcomes.
  • Optimization of functional/genomic classifiers of tumors to enable more precise cancer therapies
  • DNA repair deficiencies in breast cancer
  • Enhancing radiotherapy delivery for locally advanced breast cancer, including charged particle therapy
  • Identifying and reducing late normal tissue complications of radiotherapy
  • Radiation oncology in the developing world
  1. 2012
    ResidentMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Radiation Oncology
  2. 2008
    InternshipUniversity of Tennessee, Baptist Hospital, Internal Medicine
  3. 2007
    MDVanderbilt University School of Medicine
  4. 2002
    BAYale University
  5.  
    Certificate - Clinical and Translational ScienceMayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Certifications

  1. 2013
    Radiation OncologyAmerican Board of Radiology

Awards and honors

  1. 2023
    Volunteer Service AwardAmerican Board of Radiology
  2. 2022
    Particle Therapy Cooperative Group (PTCOG 60) Goitein Clinics AwardParticle Therapy Cooperative Group
  3. 2021
    Distinguished Research AwardMayo Clinic
  4. 2019
    Basic/Translational Science AwardAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology
  5. 2018
    Radiotherapy comparative effectiveness (RADCOMP) Consortium Award of Recognition, High Enroller & Rapid ReviewerUniversity of Pennsylvania
  6. 2010
    Travel Grant Recipient92nd Annual American Radium Society Meeting
  7. 2007
    The School of Medicine Award of DistinctionVanderbilt University School of Medicine
  8. 2006
    AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship NomineeVanderbilt University School of Medicine
  9. 2006
    Alpha Omega Alpha Honors SocietyVanderbilt University School of Medicine
  10. 2005
    AMA Foundation Scholars Fund ScholarshipVanderbilt University School of Medicine
  11. 2004
    Convocation Keynote AddressOak Park High School
  12. 2004
    Amos Christie Scholar, Department of PediatricsVanderbilt University School of Medicine
  13. 2002
    Academic All-IvyYale University
  14. 2002
    Yale Hockey Poinier AwardYale University
  15. 2002
    Calhoun College Council AwardYale University
  16. 2001
    Academic All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic ConferenceYale University
  17. 2001
    Ivy League Champion, Ice HockeyYale University
  18. 2001
    Francis Gordon Brown PrizeYale University
  19. 2001
    F. Wilder Bellamy Junior AwardYale University
  20. 1999
    Ivy League Champion, Ice HockeyYale University
  21. 1997
    ValedictorianOak Park High School

Professional memberships

  1. 2021 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Cancer Center
  2. 2019 - present
    Search CommitteeMayo Clinic in Rochester
  3. 2018 - present
    MemberRadiation Research Society
  4. 2018 - present
    Subcommittee Co-chairpersonParticle Therapy Cooperative Group
  5. 2018 - present
    Editorial Board MemberInternational Journal of Particle Therapy
  6. 2017 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Cancer Center
  7. 2017 - present
    MemberAmerican Association for Cancer Research
  8. 2016 - present
    MemberAmerican Board of Radiology, Exam Development Committee in Radiation Oncology
  9. 2015 - present
    Lead/ChairMayo Clinic
  10. 2015 - present
    Lead/ChairMayo Clinic
  11. 2015 - 2018
    MemberBreast Medical Oncologist Search Committee
  12. 2015 - present
    MemberBreast Specialty Council, Mayo Clinic Specialty Council, Mayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee
  13. 2015 - 2018
    MemberBreast E-Tumor Board
  14. 2015 - present
    MemberBreast Service Line Steering Committe
  15. 2014 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic
  16. 2013 - 2014
    MemberRadiological Society of North America
  17. 2013 - present
    MemberResident Education Committee, Department of Radiation Oncology
  18. 2013 - present
    MemberParticle Therapy Cooperative Group
  19. 2013 - present
    MemberTranslational Breast Cancer Research Consortium
  20. 2011 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology
  21. 2011 - present
    MemberAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology
  22. 2011 - 2012
    Chief ResidentMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  23. 2010 - 2013
    Subcommittee MemberInternational Education Subcommittee, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
  24. 2010 - 2012
    MemberGlobal Health Subcommittee, Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology
  25. 2008 - 2012
    MemberNew York Roentgen Society
  26. 2007 - 2008
    Committee MemberNIH Clinical Trials Committee, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.