SUMMARY
Robert W. Mutter, M.D., is a radiation oncologist and physician-scientist who studies cancer treatment resistance and integrating new therapies into care.
Dr. Mutter has developed new techniques, treatment schedules and combination therapies to improve the treatment of breast cancer. He also studies particle therapy from multiple angles, including combining treatments and personalizing patient selection. Dr. Mutter brings together multidisciplinary teams to conduct impactful cancer research and practice innovation. His cancer research laboratory is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In addition to his lab research, Dr. Mutter has mentored many medical students, residents, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members who have gone on to successful academic careers.
Focus areas
- Novel therapeutics. Dr. Mutter and his lab team are advancing scientific understanding of cancer biology to develop new personalized treatments. Dr. Mutter focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets and therapeutic approaches. This includes radiosensitizing strategies that manipulate the DNA damage response and host immunity to overcome cancer treatment resistance. He also investigates biomarkers of response to select the right approach for each patient.
- Novel treatment schedules and deintensified approaches. Dr. Mutter has developed innovative radiation fractionation schedules to treat breast cancer that reduce side effects and minimize inconvenience and cost of care. He also collaborates with multidisciplinary colleagues to design clinical trials to deintensify systemic therapy, radiotherapy and surgery in appropriately selected patients.
- Particle therapy. Dr. Mutter is an internationally recognized expert who has led clinical trials investigating pencil beam scanning proton therapy for breast cancer. Dr. Mutter also studies how differences in the response of cancer cells to particles can be exploited to improve the therapeutic ratio. This includes how best to combine protons, alpha particles and carbon ion therapy with new targeted agents, and how to manipulate the spatial distribution of these kinds of radiation for improved therapeutic effect.
- Education and training. Dr. Mutter is passionate about training and mentoring the next generation of physicians and scientists and increasing their cross-disciplinary fluency.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Mutter's research focuses on improving the treatment journey for patients undergoing cancer therapy. Inspired by his patients, Dr. Mutter hopes to cure more people and reduce the risk of side effects over their lifetime.
Professional highlights
- Acting chair, Radiation Therapeutics and Biology Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, 2025-present.
- Member, Executive Committee, Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group, 2025-present.
- Member, Steering Committee, Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium (TBCRC), 2025-present.
- Co-leader, Novel Therapeutics and Therapeutic Modalities Research Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2024-present.