Prof. Dr. med. Christine Spitzweg

Prof. Dr. med. Christine Spitzweg is a world-renowned endocrinologist and clinical scientist who holds a leading position at the LMU University Hospital in Munich. As the Director of the Interdisciplinary Thyroid Center and Co-Chair of the Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, she is at the forefront of treating complex endocrine malignancies. Her clinical work is deeply integrated with her role as an educator and researcher, specializing in the management of radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer and advanced neuroendocrine tumors. She is recognized for her ability to translate high-level molecular insights into personalized clinical strategies, ensuring that patients with rare or aggressive endocrine diseases receive the most advanced targeted therapies available. Her scientific legacy is largely defined by her pioneering research on the sodium iodide symporter (NIS). She has spent decades investigating NIS as a "theranostic" tool—a dual-purpose approach that uses the same molecule for both high-resolution imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. Beyond the thyroid, her laboratory is exploring innovative ways to use engineered mesenchymal stem cells to deliver the NIS gene into non-thyroidal tumors, such as breast cancer and glioblastoma, effectively making them susceptible to radioiodine treatment. Her leadership extends to the most prestigious international oncology and thyroid organizations, where she actively shapes clinical guidelines and research priorities, cementing her status as a global authority in molecular and translational endocrinology.