Mark Sliwkowski Staff Scientist: Research Oncology Profile | Education/Background | Top Scientific Papers | Awards & Honors

"I joined Genentech in 1991 as a senior scientist and have worked on a number of programs involving drugs directed against the human epidermal growth factor receptor family (also known as the HER or ErbB family). Gratifyingly, two of these drugs, Herceptin® (Trastuzumab) and Tarceva® (erlotinib) have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. In September 1998, Herceptin was approved in combination with paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. In November of 2006, Herceptin was approved by the FDA as part of a treatment regimen containing doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel, for the adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive, node-positive breast cancer. In January 2008, Herceptin was approved by the FDA as a single agent for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing node-negative (ER/PR-negative or with one high-risk feature) or node-positive breast cancer, following multi-modality anthracycline-based therapy. In April of 2004, it was announced that Tarceva extended the survival of patients with relapsed non-small cell lung cancer. Later that same year, FDA approved Tarceva for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen."

Current Projects "The epidermal growth factor receptor network, also known as the HER or ErbB family, is frequently activated in a number of proliferative diseases including cancer. Our lab focuses on studying various aspects of this receptor activation process including the biochemical nature of the receptor complexes, the activation of signal transduction pathways, and the resultant biological outcomes. These investigations have contributed to the development of a number of therapeutic approaches that target the receptor family such as Herceptin, pertuzumab, Tarceva, and a trastuzumab-DM1 conjugate. Working closely with the Molecular Diagnostics and Pathology Departments, our current effort deals primarily with identifying a molecular profile that may aid in selecting patients who may benefit from pertuzumab therapy. We are also actively investigating combination therapeutic approaches and exploring mechanisms of resistance."

Collaborations "Because of Genentech's highly collaborative environment, I have had the opportunity to partner with researchers in a variety of departments. I have also had the chance to collaborate with investigators outside of Genentech from institutions such as Cedars-Sinai (Los Angeles), Vanderbilt University (Nashville), Hospital Universitari Vall D'Hebron (Barcelona), and University of California, Los Angeles."

Inspiration/Vision "I have always been fascinated by science and felt that I could become genuinely interested in just about any scientific question that had a biological origin. Genentech's research environment is one where you can do great science that is directed toward a meaningful outcome. I am extremely fortunate that my lab has been involved in several drugs that actually 'worked in the clinic.' One cannot adequately describe the excitement that permeates our company when we learn that one of our drugs helps critically ill patients. It is particularly gratifying when you've worked directly on one of these programs. It's a feeling that we're addicted to and one that we crave over and over again."