Michael J. Morris, MD

Much of my research bridges the fields of medical oncology and nuclear medicine. I am working with colleagues on Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Nuclear Medicine Service to develop radiopharmaceuticals — liquid drugs that deliver radiation therapy directly to cancer cells or to the areas in the skeleton that harbor prostate cancer cells. I am exploring one class of these drugs, called bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals, in combination with chemotherapy. I am also exploring a new form of bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical that has fewer side effects in the bone marrow.

Another research interest is developing new ways to image prostate cancer in the bones using unique, prostate-cancer-specific PET scans and other new imaging modalities. This type of imaging not only provides an insight into where the prostate cancer is located, but informs us about its biology as well.

Finally, I am interested in finding ways to prevent metastatic disease in patients who have undergone prostatectomy but whose PSA is rising rapidly. I am leading an international study for these patients in which we hope to determine whether early and aggressive treatment can delay, if not prevent, the development of metastases.

One of my priorities is increasing patient access to clinical trials. I am currently involved in the development of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium (PCCTC), an initiative designed to increase patient access to clinical trials across the country. I also sit on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)’s genitourinary committee, a National Cancer Institute-designated group composed of local and academic oncology centers, to facilitate clinical testing of new drugs throughout the country. In addition, I am very involved with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); I am on ASCO’s Education Committee and chair of the Genitourinary Scientific Track.