Dennis Slamon, Tony Hunter Win Albany Prize
The prestigious award honors groundbreaking research in cancer treatments that have saved millions of lives.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Cancer
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Cancer researchers Dennis Slamon and Tony Hunter have been awarded the Albany Prize, which includes a $500,000 cash award. The prize recognizes their contributions to life-saving medical breakthroughs, including the development of the drug Herceptin.
Why it matters
The prize honors scientists whose innovative research creates better outcomes for patients worldwide. It serves as a significant recognition of advancements that transform how doctors treat aggressive forms of cancer.
The Albany Prize carries a $500,000 cash award supported by a $50 million gift commitment. Herceptin, a drug associated with the prize-winning research, has benefited more than 3.5 million patients.
The players
Dennis Slamon
He is a 78-year-old researcher at UCLA known for his development of life-saving cancer therapies.
Tony Hunter
He is a researcher at the Salk Institute who identified the role of tyrosine kinases in cancer progression.
The details
Tony Hunter began his pioneering work on tyrosine kinases in 1979 to study the switches leading to cancerous cell growth. Dennis Slamon developed Herceptin, which received FDA approval in 1998 and functions by binding to tumors to melt away aggressive cancer cells.
Timeline
Tony Hunter began his research on tyrosine kinases in 1979.
The FDA granted approval for the drug Herceptin in 1998.
The Albany Prize was established in 2001.
Morris Silverman, the prize benefactor, died in 2006.
The Big Picture
The Albany Prize serves as a significant indicator of future scientific recognition, as 11 past recipients have gone on to win the Nobel Prize. This trajectory highlights the award's established role in identifying researchers whose work shapes global medical paradigms.
The research recognized by the prize continues to provide therapeutic options for patients battling aggressive cancers. These developments remain vital for clinical treatment protocols and long-term survival outcomes.
The takeaway
The recognition of these researchers underscores the long-term impact that foundational scientific discoveries have on patient survival. Continued investment in basic research remains the primary driver of medical progress.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest breakthroughs in the field at Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Union.
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