Education

MD Medicine, University of Zurich (Switzerland), 1997
PhD Experimental Pathology, University of Washington, 2006
MS Epidemiology (Clinical Research), University of Washington, 2011

Contact

206-667-3599
rwalter@fredhutch.org

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Bio

My research is focused on acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I am particularly interested in improving antibody-based therapies, both by optimizing the efficacy/safety profile of existing therapeutics and through the preclinical and early clinical development of novel antigen-directed immunotherapies. As examples of latter efforts, my lab has contributed to candidate drug identification and preclinical development of 5 novel agents that have subsequently advanced to clinical testing (SGN-CD33A, SGN-CD123A, AMG 330, AMV-564, and APVO436). A major area of focus of our research lies in the delineation of the mechanisms of action and resistance that are relevant for antibody-based AML therapeutics and the rational development of combination therapies that can overcome drug resistance. Many of my studies conducted over the last 15+ years have aimed at optimizing CD33-targeted and, more recently, CD123-targeted therapies. In clinical studies, I conduct trials testing novel treatments and innovative care approaches for AML patients. Furthermore, in collaborative research, I use large patient datasets to develop and improve diagnostic and prognostic tools for people with AML.