Dr. Mark D. Pegram

Dr. Mark D. Pegram is the Suzy Yuan-Huey Hung Endowed Professor of Medical Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the Stanford Cancer Institute, positions that place him at the intersection of laboratory discovery, clinical innovation, and institutional strategy. Drawing on leadership experience that spans academic and community settings, he has designed a breast oncology service line that unites surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, genetic counselors, pharmacists, social workers, and survivorship navigators within one coordinated hub. Weekly case conferences review imaging, pathology, and molecular data in real time, producing consensus care plans that follow National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidance while remaining sensitive to individual goals and cultural contexts. Clinical pharmacists streamline antiemetic choices, lymphedema specialists offer early intervention, and integrative-medicine experts address anxiety and fatigue, creating a continuum that treats the whole person rather than only the tumor. A unified electronic record, accessible through patient portals and telemedicine links, allows families to review appointments, laboratory results, and supportive-care resources without information gaps. By embedding bilingual educators and financial counselors in clinic schedules, he removes barriers that often delay the start of time-critical therapy. This integrative framework reduces treatment fragmentation, shortens decision intervals, and provides every patient with a clear roadmap from diagnosis through long-term monitoring, reinforcing confidence that each recommendation reflects the collective wisdom of a dedicated multidisciplinary team.

 

Laboratory discoveries made by Dr. Pegram and his collaborators underpin many of the therapies now standard for HER2-positive breast cancer, illustrating the power of sustained bench-to-bedside inquiry. Early cell-culture experiments demonstrated that co-administration of trastuzumab with chemotherapy achieved synergistic cytotoxicity against tumors driven by amplified HER2 signaling, a concept later validated in multicenter trials and now embedded in global treatment guidelines. Today his translational program explores next-generation antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, each selected for its ability to disrupt escape pathways that emerge after first-line therapy. Human tissue samples obtained during neoadjuvant protocols feed into a living biobank where genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles are mapped against real-time response data, revealing biomarkers that predict benefit or toxicity before exposure begins. In partnership with bioinformatics teams, he applies machine-learning algorithms to these datasets, identifying combination regimens that warrant rapid translation from murine models to first-in-human micro-dosing studies. One flagship trial tests a trastuzumab deruxtecan backbone combined with immune-checkpoint modulation for hormone-receptor–positive, HER2-low metastatic disease, aiming to broaden molecular eligibility for targeted therapy. Another protocol evaluates pertuzumab plus ado-trastuzumab emtansine in the post-residual disease setting, with correlative studies of circulating tumor DNA to guide adjuvant intensification only when molecular relapse is detected. Through these initiatives he shortens the interval between scientific insight and clinical access, ensuring that each experiment ultimately informs concrete improvements in patient care. The result for participants is the opportunity to receive therapies designed around the unique biology of their tumor while contributing data that will refine standards for generations of patients to come.

 

Beyond laboratory science, Dr. Pegram champions a culture of innovation that extends into education and community partnership, cultivating the next generation of oncology leaders while closing information gaps for patients worldwide. As Associate Dean for Clinical Research Quality, he mentors fellows, nurses, and data managers on rigorous protocol conduct, ethical consent procedures, and inclusive eligibility design, reinforcing standards that protect participants and accelerate discovery. He lectures internationally on topics such as biosimilar integration, toxicity mitigation for antibody-drug conjugates, and equity in clinical-trial enrollment, translating complex regulatory frameworks into actionable steps for clinicians practicing in resource-limited settings. Within the local region he partners with public-health agencies and advocacy groups to host bilingual seminars that clarify screening recommendations, address myths surrounding targeted therapy, and outline survivorship resources ranging from cardiology follow-up to fertility preservation. A series of podcast episodes and interactive webinars expands this mission to virtual audiences, offering up-to-date commentary on evolving evidence and inviting real-time questions from patients and providers alike. He also oversees a scholarship program that pairs undergraduate data scientists with breast-oncology investigators, encouraging diverse perspectives in the interpretation of large genomic datasets. By weaving mentorship, continuing education, and public engagement into his daily schedule, he reinforces an ecosystem where curiosity thrives and discoveries are rapidly communicated to those who need them most, providing patients with timely, understandable guidance at every stage of care.