All Things Cancer: NFCR Podcast Episode with Dr. Dennis Slamon

Introduction

• Podcast hosted by Dr. Sujuan Ba, President and CEO of National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR).
• Focus on progress in cancer research, patient care advances, and collaborations.
• Guest: Dr. Dennis Slamon, recipient of the 2024 Szent-Gyorgyi Prize for progress in cancer research.

Dr. Dennis Slamon's Contributions

• Pioneer in targeted therapies development.
• Instrumental in developing HER2-targeted antibodies, leading to FDA approval of Herceptin in 1998.
• Herceptin used for treating almost 3 million women with breast cancer globally.

Career Path and Influences

• Interest in biology since high school, pursued further in college.
• Key influence: Dr. Winston Anderson, PhD adviser at the University of Chicago.
• Advocated critical data analysis and adapting theories to match data.

Development of HER2 Targeted Therapy

• HER2 targeted therapy was not originally a mainstream idea.
• HER2 amplification found in ~20% of breast cancers, associated with poor outcomes.
• Collaboration with Genentech scientists, notably Axel Ullrich and Mike Shepard.
• Challenges with HER2 therapy development, including initial corporate skepticism.

Overcoming Challenges

• Personal and professional commitment to HER2 therapy amidst corporate doubts.
• Humanization of mouse antibodies crucial for patient trials.
• Patient involvement critical; patients acted as "colleagues" in trials.
• Advocacy played a role in pushing forward HER2 research.

Current Landscape and Future Directions

• Rise of antibody-drug conjugates, targeting HER2-low cancers.
• Challenges in widespread adoption due to cost and safety concerns.
• Importance of combination therapies and immunotherapies.
• Emphasis on large clinical impact and cost-effectiveness for new therapies.

Broader Implications for Cancer Research

• Role of early detection and prevention strategies.
• Advances in liquid biopsy and understanding of oncogenes.
• Need for better scientific foundation before combination trials.
• Importance of targeted therapies and the challenge of underutilization.

Advice for Aspiring Scientists

• Exciting era due to advanced research tools.
• Encouragement to apply new technologies and develop innovative treatments.
• Potential breakthroughs in understanding the microbiome and genetic alterations.

Conclusion

• Dr. Slamon shares optimism for future cancer research breakthroughs.
• Encourages ongoing collaboration across scientific, corporate, and patient advocacy communities.

Note: For more information about NFCR and their research efforts, visit nfcr.org. Subscribe to "All Things Cancer" to not miss future episodes.