From the Front Lines to the Frontiers of Defeating Breast Cancer with Elizabeth Mittendorf, MD, PhD

Elizabeth Mittendorf, MD, PhD, MHCM, FASCO, is a trailblazer in breast cancer immunotherapy whose pioneering research has helped redefine how the disease is prevented and treated. As Co-Director of the PICI Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Robert and Karen Hale Distinguished Chair in Surgical Oncology, and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, she leads transformative work that bridges the lab and the clinic. A decorated surgeon and scientist, Dr. Mittendorf has played a pivotal role in advancing vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors for breast cancer—and as the 2026-2027 President of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), she is poised to shape the future of cancer care on a global scale.

In this episode of From Bench to Fireside, Dr. Mittendorf joins PICI Chief Scientific Officer John Connolly, PhD, for a compelling discussion on the evolving landscape of breast cancer immunotherapy. From her early days treating wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to her groundbreaking studies on tumor microenvironments, she shares how a fearless, no-limits mindset has driven her career. They also explore the power of mentorship, the rise of generative AI in clinical trial design, and how breaking down research silos accelerates discovery.

Dr. Mittendorf’s leadership and innovation continue to transform oncology—proving that some physicians don’t just challenge the status quo, they redefine what’s possible.

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