While in Dublin, for the 17th International Symposium on Translational Research in Oncology, Dr Dennis Slamon was awarded University College Dublin’s highest honour, the Ulysses Medal, for his pioneering research into novel therapies for breast cancer for over 30 years.
Dr. Slamon’s research resulted in the groundbreaking development of the breast cancer drug, Herceptin, which has proven to be a lifesaving therapy for women with HER2-positive breast cancer. This therapy has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of breast cancer patients worldwide, including an estimated 1,000 women in Ireland.
According to Professor Crown, who delivered the citation at the award ceremony, Dr Slamon’s “contribution to cancer research is unparalleled.”
“His early research which identified the critical importance of the HER2 gene in patients with the most aggressive type of Breast cancer was initially greeted with widespread scepticism.
“However, the brilliance of his work and the doggedness of his determination succeeded in proving the importance of his findings. Drugs which have been developed as a result of this research have revolutionised the treatment of many patients with Breast cancer, and more recently other cancers.”
“In addition, he has done pioneering research in the area of oestrogen receptor positive Breast cancer; research which led to the development of an entirely new class of anti-cancer drugs, the CDK46 inhibitors,” he said.
“Dr Slamon has been a great friend to Ireland. He has a long collaboration with St. Vincent’s Hospital Oncology Unit, UCD and DCU, mentoring some of our brightest young Irish cancer researchers.
“This Ulysses Award, the latest of many international recognitions of his contribution, is richly deserved.”
