Targeted Cancer Therapies Receive Top Recognition

The work of these researchers enables modern treatments that avoid many of the harsh side effects of chemotherapy.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cancer

A sleek laboratory pipette resting on a brushed steel surface in a brightly lit professional research environment. — Researchers Tony Hunter and Dennis Slamon have been awarded the Albany Medical Center Prize for foundational work in targeted cancer therapy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should medical research prioritize the development of targeted cancer treatments over traditional chemotherapy methods?

Researchers Tony Hunter and Dennis Slamon have been awarded the Albany Medical Center Prize for their foundational work in targeted cancer therapy. Their collective contributions have paved the way for dozens of modern treatments, including therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Why it matters

This recognition highlights the shift toward precision medicine, which allows clinicians to target specific cancer cells while avoiding the harsh systemic side effects of traditional chemotherapy. Their discoveries have fundamentally changed how many oncologists approach treatment selection for patients today.

The Albany Medical Center Prize recognizes work leading to over 95 cancer drugs, a significant expansion over previous treatment options. While these innovations have transformed care, clinical research into the full range of applications for these targeted therapies remains ongoing.

The players

Tony Hunter

A researcher at the Salk Institute whose work on cellular signaling mechanisms enabled the development of targeted cancer drugs.

Dennis Slamon

A researcher at UCLA whose work focuses on breast cancer treatment, notably the development of HER2-targeted therapies.

The details

Tony Hunter discovered that tyrosine kinases act as molecular switches for cell growth by attaching phosphate molecules to the amino acid tyrosine. Dennis Slamon utilized these insights into cellular signaling to identify how blocking HER2 receptors could stop tumor progression. This mechanism allows treatments like Herceptin to specifically disable cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.

1979: Tony Hunter discovered the role of tyrosine kinases.
2004: Hunter and Slamon received the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor.
2024: Slamon received the Szent-Györgyi Prize.
2025: Hunter received the Szent-Györgyi Prize.
October 2026: Hunter and Slamon received the Albany Medical Center Prize.

Health Landscape

The Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research has a strong track record, with 11 past winners eventually receiving Nobel Prizes. This year's award reinforces the ongoing medical transition from broad-spectrum chemotherapy toward personalized, precision-targeted oncology.

For patients with specific cancer types like HER2-positive breast cancer, these targeted discoveries mean more precise treatment options are now standard practice. If you are discussing a new diagnosis, ask your oncologist if molecular testing or targeted therapy options are appropriate for your specific tumor profile.

The takeaway

The work of Hunter and Slamon demonstrates the power of targeting specific cellular errors rather than treating cancer with non-specific chemicals. Patients should feel empowered to ask their doctors about personalized treatment plans, which often utilize diagnostic testing to match drugs to a patient's unique cancer biology.