Oncologist Near Me – Paolo Tarantino: Shaping the Future of Breast Cancer Treatment

Welcome to OncoDaily‘s special section, “Oncologist Near Me,” where we introduce prominent oncologists worldwide.

Here, you can get to know the leading cancer specialists in your area, including personal and professional details you won’t find in their research articles.

Interested solely in research? We’ve got that covered too! Discover top research articles by the author, learn about their academic achievements, awards, and honors, watch their interviews, and memorize some quotes for much-needed inspiration!

Paolo Tarantino, MD, PhD

Paolo Tarantino is a medical oncologist and researcher specializing in breast cancer. He is currently pursuing a fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on developing new therapies for HER2-positive and HER2-low breast cancer, particularly exploring the potential of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Recently, Dr. Tarantino was honored with the Yvonne Award by OncoDaily in the “Voice of Oncology” category, recognizing his valuable contributions to the field.

“Whys” That Led to Oncology

From a young age, Dr. Paolo Tarantino was driven by a deep curiosity about the world. “Since I was a kid, I’ve always been asking my parents, ‘Why?'” he shared. This thirst for understanding the complexities of life, joy, suffering, and the world around him led him to pursue knowledge in many forms. He recalls his parents even gifting him a big book, “The Book of Whys“, hoping it might provide some answers, but instead, it only raised more questions.

Initially, Dr. Tarantino sought answers through philosophy, reading countless books, but he quickly became frustrated by the endless debates and contradictions in many theories. He wanted more concrete answers, ones that could have a direct impact on his life, and more importantly, on the lives of others.

This quest for tangible solutions led him to medicine, where he found something that resonated deeply with him: cancer. During his studies at the University of Naples Federico II, Dr. Tarantino began to sense that cancer held the key to many of the mysteries of medicine, so much of it remained unexplored. That curiosity was solidified one summer morning during a pathology class in medical school, when he first heard about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

It was there that Dr. Tarantino witnessed the power of imatinib in action: a precise molecular treatment that disrupts the kinase activity of the BCR-Abl gene.

“I saw the beauty of it, this molecular answer to a devastating disease. An answer that allowed thousands of people to live longer and better. That was the day I realized: I would find my answers through oncology.”

Dr. Tarantino’s education and training continued at the University of Milan, where he completed his residency from 2017 to 2023 and pursued a PhD in clinical research from 2021 to 2024. For him, oncology has become more than just a field of study; it’s a blend of intellectual challenge and human connection.

“Oncology isn’t just about understanding disease at the molecular level. It’s about standing beside people at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and using science to bring them hope.”

This dual purpose, combining the scientific rigor of research with the human side of care, is what drives him every day.

Career and Research

Dr. Paolo Tarantino is currently pursuing an Advanced Research Fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, where he continues to explore innovative approaches to treating breast cancer. He earned his PhD from the University of Milan, focusing on the HER2 oncoprotein, the biology of HER2-low breast tumors, and the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

In addition to his research, Dr. Tarantino is an editor at ESMO Open, contributing to the broader oncology community. His work on trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) and his efforts to advance the understanding of HER2 expression biology have had a significant impact on the field.

Dr. Tarantino has authored more than 100 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Nature, Lancet Oncology, and Annals of Oncology. According to Google Scholar, his research has earned him an H-index of 35, underscoring his influence and contribution to oncology.

Photo from Paolo Tarantino/X

Reflecting on a moment in his career that left a lasting impact, Dr. Tarantino shared an experience from 2018 when he had just joined the Phase 1 team at the European Institute of Oncology. He was assigned as the supervisor for a new trial involving BLU667, a drug that inhibits RET, a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in cell proliferation and survival.

“The first patient we enrolled in the trial was C. He had an aggressive case of metastatic, RET-fusion positive lung cancer, with rapid progression despite standard treatments. His prognosis was poor, but he greeted us with incredible optimism and a love for life, despite his pain and worsening symptoms. Two months later, when we looked at the restaging scans, it was clear. His smile hadn’t changed, but his breathing had improved, his color was better, and all his bone pain had disappeared. The tumors had nearly disappeared, replaced by healthy, functioning organs.”

This experience became a defining moment for Dr. Tarantino, reminding him of the power of clinical research and the profound impact it can have on patients’ lives. He keeps C.’s first restaging scans on his office wall as a reminder of this incredible success.

In 2025, Dr. Tarantino was honored with the Yvonne Award by OncoDaily in the category of “The Voice of Oncology”. Reflecting on the honor, he shared:

“Receiving the Yvonne ‘Top Voice’ Award tonight was an honor. Receiving it from the hands of my first and lifelong mentor Giuseppe Curigliano, priceless.”

The Voice of Oncology Award was presented by Giuseppe Curigliano, President-Elect of ESMO, and Erika Ruiz-Garcia, Chair of the 2025–2026 ASCO Annual Meeting Education Program.

Selected Publications

• Tarantino P, Hamilton E, Tolaney SM, Cortes J, Morganti S, Ferraro E, Marra A, Viale G, Trapani D, Cardoso F, Penault-Llorca F, Viale G, Andrè F, Curigliano G. HER2-Low Breast Cancer: Pathological and Clinical Landscape. J Clin Oncol. 2020 Jun 10;38(17):1951-1962. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.02488. Epub 2020 Apr 24. PMID: 32330069.
• Tarantino P, Carmagnani Pestana R, Corti C, Modi S, Bardia A, Tolaney SM, Cortes J, Soria JC, Curigliano G. Antibody-drug conjugates: Smart chemotherapy delivery across tumor histologies. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022 Mar;72(2):165-182. doi: 10.3322/caac.21705. Epub 2021 Nov 12. PMID: 34767258.
• Tarantino P, Viale G, Press MF, Hu X, Penault-Llorca F, Bardia A, Batistatou A, Burstein HJ, Carey LA, Cortes J, Denkert C, Diéras V, Jacot W, Koutras AK, Lebeau A, Loibl S, Modi S, Mosele MF, Provenzano E, Pruneri G, Reis-Filho JS, Rojo F, Salgado R, Schmid P, Schnitt SJ, Tolaney SM, Trapani D, Vincent-Salomon A, Wolff AC, Pentheroudakis G, André F, Curigliano G. ESMO expert consensus statements (ECS) on the definition, diagnosis, and management of HER2-low breast cancer. Ann Oncol. 2023 Aug;34(8):645-659. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.05.008. Epub 2023 Jun 1. PMID: 37269905.
• Tarantino P, Jin Q, Tayob N, Jeselsohn RM, Schnitt SJ, Vincuilla J, Parker T, Tyekucheva S, Li T, Lin NU, Hughes ME, Weiss AC, King TA, Mittendorf EA, Curigliano G, Tolaney SM. Prognostic and Biologic Significance of ERBB2-Low Expression in Early-Stage Breast Cancer. JAMA Oncol. 2022 Aug 1;8(8):1177-1183. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.2286. PMID: 35737367; PMCID: PMC9227690.
• Tarantino P, Gandini S, Nicolò E, Trillo P, Giugliano F, Zagami P, Vivanet G, Bellerba F, Trapani D, Marra A, Esposito A, Criscitiello C, Viale G, Curigliano G. Evolution of low HER2 expression between early and advanced-stage breast cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2022 Mar;163:35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.12.022. Epub 2022 Jan 13. PMID: 35032815.

Interviews with Paolo Tarantino

Paolo Tarantino on Breakthroughs in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: ESMO 2023 Highlights – OncoDaily

SABCS23: Paolo Tarantino, MD, discusses the RELIEVE study – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Beyond the White Coat

Outside of his work in oncology, Dr. Paolo Tarantino has a deep passion for music and dance. His home is filled with various musical instruments, and he enjoys playing them depending on his mood. Lately, he has been mostly playing the classical guitar and handpan, a peaceful, percussive instrument. He also makes it a point to regularly attend live music shows, with his recent experience seeing Hozier at Fenway Park being particularly memorable.

Hozier at Fenway Park

Dance plays a significant role in Dr. Tarantino’s life as well. During medical school, he taught hip hop, and over the past few years, he has learned to dance swing and tango. Whether it’s the energetic vibe of hip hop, the structured elegance of tango, or the spontaneous joy of swing, dance helps him stay grounded, creative, and connected to others.
Recently, Dr. Tarantino participated in the SGBCC 2025 Charity Marathon in Vienna, running alongside his colleagues to kick off the consensus conference.

We also asked Dr. Tarantino about his favorite books and movies. Here are his selections:

Movies:

The Legend of 1900 by Giuseppe Tornatore

Mr. Nobody by Jaco Van Dormael

Before Sunrise Trilogy by Richard Linklater

Books:

• Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
• Everybody’s Right by Paolo Sorrentino
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

In His Words

When asked about the most important advice he’d offer to someone starting their journey in oncology, Dr. Tarantino emphasized the importance of passion and curiosity.

“Follow your passion and remain curious. Oncology is a constantly evolving field, full of challenges but also full of meaning. The best discoveries, whether scientific or personal, often come when you allow your curiosity to guide you beyond what is expected or established. Let your passion drive you, especially during the harder days; it will be your most reliable compass.”

As for what keeps him motivated every day, Dr. Tarantino points to the people around him.

“Honestly, it’s the people around me, mentors, colleagues, patients, who inspire and amplify everything I do. I’m just one part of a much larger ecosystem, and it’s humbling to see how clinical insights and research collaborations can turn into tangible progress for patients. That transformation, watching ideas evolve into real impact, is what keeps me going every day.”

How to contact him?

Email: [email protected]
Location:  450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States

Read the previous articles in the “Oncologist Near Me” series to explore insights into the lives and careers of leading oncologists worldwide.

We’ve curated the internet to find the most important information about them. If you have more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Written by Vahe Grigoryan