Dennis Slamon

Dennis Slamon discovered the link between HER2 gene amplification and breast cancer aggressiveness and led the clinical development of trastuzumab (Herceptin), the first HER2-targeted therapy approved for breast cancer, which substantially improved survival in HER2-positive patients. His milestone phase III trials in metastatic and early HER2-positive breast cancer established the paradigm for oncogene-targeted cancer therapy. He has subsequently contributed to pertuzumab, T-DM1, and CDK4/6 inhibitor combinations in breast cancer. Slamon's foundational contributions to HER2 and targeted therapy biology have been transformative for the entire field of precision oncology.