UCLA Scientist Dennis Slamon Joins Elite American Physicians Association Following Decades of Breast Cancer Innovation

UCLA scientist Dennis Slamon joins the AAP for his role in HER2 research and the development of Herceptin. Learn more about his impact on oncology.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 8:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Prominent Oncology Pioneer Joins Historic National Medical Society

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA announced that Dr. Dennis Slamon, chief of hematology and oncology, has been elected to the Association of American Physicians. This appointment places Slamon within an elite group of no more than 70 physicians selected annually for their monumental contributions to biomedical research and patient care. According to the university, the induction honors Slamon for his professional dedication to translating complex laboratory findings into tangible clinical successes that have fundamentally altered the landscape of modern medicine.

Legacy of the Association of American Physicians

Established in 1885, the Association of American Physicians serves as one of the oldest honorary medical organizations in the United States. Its mission focuses on the advancement of scientific discovery and the integration of academic medicine into the public health sector. By electing Slamon, the organization acknowledges four decades of research conducted at UCLA. Slamon noted that the collaborative atmosphere at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center was vital in turning his translational research into a reality that benefits patients on a daily basis.

Breaking the Code of Aggressive HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

Slamon is most notably celebrated for his identification of the HER2 gene and its specific role in driving more aggressive forms of breast cancer. This discovery provided a blueprint for understanding why certain cancers were more lethal than others, allowing scientists to move away from broad treatments toward precision medicine. His work proved that genetic markers could serve as the primary targets for new drugs, a concept that was revolutionary when first introduced during his tenure at UCLA.