Rate My Professor Roland Walter

Roland Walter, MD, PhD, MS, is a professor in the Translational Science and Therapeutics Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, where he holds the José Carreras/E. Donnall Thomas Endowed Chair for Cancer Research, and a professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Washington and a member of the Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center at Fred Hutch. A board-certified hematologist in internal medicine and hematology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Walter earned his MD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zürich in 1997 after medical school from 1990 to 1996. He completed internal medicine residencies at Rätisches Kantons- und Regionalspital in Chur, Switzerland (1997-1999), and University Hospital Zürich (1999-2002), followed by a research fellowship in the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutch (2002-2008), a PhD from the University of Washington in 2006, a hematology fellowship at the University of Washington (2005-2007), and an MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research from the University of Washington in 2011.

Dr. Walter's clinical practice focuses on acute myeloid leukemia (AML), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, acute promyelocytic leukemia, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. His laboratory research centers on the preclinical and early clinical development of novel antigen-directed immunotherapies for AML, with emphasis on antibody-based therapies targeting CD33 and CD123 to eradicate AML cells including stem cells. His team has contributed to the identification and characterization of five agents advanced to clinical testing: SGN-CD33A, SGN-CD123A, AMG 330, AMV-564, and APVO436. He investigates mechanisms of action and resistance for these therapies and develops combination strategies. Dr. Walter conducts clinical trials of novel AML treatments and uses large datasets to improve diagnostic and prognostic tools. Selected publications include "Cellular determinants for preclinical activity of a novel CD33/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody, AMG 330, against human AML" (Blood, 2014), "Development of [211At]astatine-based anti-CD123 radioimmunotherapy for acute leukemias and other CD123+ malignancies" (Leukemia, 2022), "Targeting the membrane-proximal C2-set domain of CD33 for improved CD33-directed immunotherapy" (Leukemia, 2021), and "COVA4231, a potent CD3/CD33 bispecific FynomAb with IgG-like pharmacokinetics for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia" (Leukemia, 2019). His contributions have been recognized with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholar in Clinical Research Award, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation "A" Award, American Society of Hematology Bridge Grant, and Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant. As principal investigator of the Walter Lab, he advances AML therapeutics through collaborative preclinical and clinical efforts.