Dr. Carlos L. Arteaga is an internationally renowned cancer biologist who currently serves as Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Dean of Oncology Programs at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He assumed these leadership positions in September 2017, transitioning from a distinguished 28-year career at Vanderbilt University where he held multiple significant roles including Associate Director for Clinical Research and director of the Center for Cancer Targeted Therapies. Dr. Arteaga earned his medical degree from the Universidad de Guayaquil in Ecuador in 1980, where his father served as dean of medicine, and completed his internal medicine residency at Emory University before specializing in hematology-oncology at the University of Texas Health Science Center. His professional journey represents a remarkable evolution from initial aspirations in cardiology to becoming one of America's foremost authorities on breast cancer research and treatment innovation.
Dr. Arteaga has established himself as a world-leading expert in breast cancer biology through his groundbreaking research demonstrating the utility of targeting TGF-β to prevent cancer metastasis and overcome therapeutic resistance. His laboratory made significant contributions to the development and clinical implementation of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy for patients with HER2-mutated breast cancer, transforming treatment paradigms for this patient population. With more than 350 publications spanning oncogenes, breast tumor initiation, and mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, his work has profoundly impacted the understanding of triple-negative breast cancer, for which targeted therapy options remain limited. His leadership of the NCI-funded Vanderbilt Breast Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence from 2002 to 2017 cemented his reputation as a translational researcher capable of bridging fundamental biological discoveries with clinical applications that improve patient outcomes.
As a respected leader in oncology, Dr. Arteaga served as president of the American Association for Cancer Research during 2014-2015, shaping national cancer research priorities through this influential role. His current research explores innovative approaches to enhance immunotherapy response in breast cancer, particularly through mechanisms that facilitate T cell recruitment into tumors, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues for resistant cancers. Beyond his laboratory work, Dr. Arteaga is deeply committed to advancing translational cancer medicine in Texas through strategic partnerships, exceptional patient care, and rigorous scientific discovery at the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. His vision focuses on easing the burden of cancer across the region through transdisciplinary research, funding initiatives, education, and collaborative partnerships that translate scientific breakthroughs into clinical practice.
