Dennis Slamon

Dr. Dennis Slamon ’70 is best known for the research he conducted that led to the development of Herceptin, a breast cancer drug that targets a specific genetic alteration found in about 30 percent of breast cancer patients. Slamon’s work marked a shift in cancer treatment from a one-size-fits-all approach to killing tumors to a study of the genetics of specific cancers. This research has earned him numerous national and international awards including the Medal of Honor from the American Cancer Society, the top award bestowed by the organization.