Biography
Dr. Dennis J. Slamon is a distinguished oncologist and researcher renowned for his groundbreaking work in breast cancer treatment, which began in the late 1990s. As the Director of ClinicalTranslational Research and Chief of the Division of HematologyOncology at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Slamons pioneering research led to the development of trastuzumab (Herceptin), a targeted therapy that revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, significantly improving survival rates for patients with this aggressive subtype. Since then, Dr. Slamon has continued to make transformative contributions to the field of cancer research, advancing targeted therapies and precision medicine to further enhance treatment outcomes for cancer patients. Dr. Slamons research continues to shape the landscape of precision medicine. His work focuses on identifying molecular targets for new cancer therapies, with an emphasis on tailoring treatments to the specific genetic alterations in tumors. His efforts have been instrumental in advancing targeted therapies, not only for breast cancer but also for other cancers with similar molecular profiles. Throughout his career, Dr. Slamon has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the 2019 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award and the 2024 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research. He remains a leader in the field, committed to advancing innovative treatments and improving the lives of cancer patients worldwide.