TrailblAZers in Oncology:
Building a path for progress in immuno-oncology

Katy Miller is Global Franchise Head, Immuno-Oncology & GI Cancer, AstraZeneca and has been with our company for over 11 years. Inspired by the trailblazing women in her life and her desire to improve outcomes for everyone touched by cancer, Katy shares what drew her to oncology at AstraZeneca, and how her team is helping shape the future of cancer care. 

Katy, what inspired you to pursue a career in oncology?

I have been heavily influenced by the women in my family. I come from a very matriarchal family, where strong women, from my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother to my numerous cousins, lead the way. One of the people I looked up to was my aunt and godmother. She had a way of communicating with people such that, no matter if you were an adult or child, she made you feel smart and important — like you were the centre of the universe — and I try to carry that style of communication with me, both at work, and at home with my three children.

My godmother was also a 13-year breast cancer veteran, and seeing her go through that experience, navigating the highs and lows, was really eye opening. She participated in a clinical trial for what is now a frontline therapy for HER2+ breast cancer, so even in the process of receiving treatment, she was making history, blazing new trails for other people with breast cancer. I wanted to be just like her and find a career where I could have an impact on others’ lives.

How did that experience carry through to the work you are doing for cancer patients today?

My personal experiences – witnessing the impact cancer had not only on my godmother, but also my mother who is a two-time cancer survivor and others in my family – have deeply influenced my commitment to advancing oncology research. Seeing them navigate the challenges of diagnosis and treatment has reinforced my dedication to improving outcomes for all cancer patients. While I may not be directly administering treatment in the clinic, my work at AstraZeneca allows me to contribute to the development of new therapies and treatment strategies that have the potential to positively impact patient’s lives.

It is truly amazing to see how far we have come during my time at AstraZeneca. Immuno-oncology (IO) has transformed the treatment landscape across many cancer settings, and we are at a crucial inflection point in understanding just how broad and numerous the applications of this treatment modality are. As we look toward the future, we are exploring our IO assets in combinations with a wide range of therapeutic options, including with other IO medicines as well as with antibody drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapeutics directly to tumour cells. We’ve also just barely begun to scratch the surface of taking IOs even further, for example, using bispecific antibodies to simultaneously target multiple antigens on the same cell with a single medicine. It is an exciting time to be in oncology!

What is a trailblazer to you, and how do you see that embodied in your daily work in immuno-oncology?

When I think about the definition of a trailblazer, I imagine a person who is courageous in breaking new ground and answering some of life’s toughest questions. When I think of the example my mother, godmother, and the other strong women in my family set, I am also reminded that blazing new trails is about more than just navigating into uncharted territory. It is also about bringing people with you — building a path for others to follow – and ensuring future generations have a smoother journey. As a mother, I often think of our responsibility to pay it forward, just as those before us paved the way for our success.

At AstraZeneca, we are pushing the limits of what already might be understood and mapping out new trajectories toward earlier intervention. We are explorers in our own way, unpacking the complexities of the human immune system and harnessing its ability to fight disease. And we are not afraid to ask hard questions. We work to tackle the cancers that are the toughest and most complex to treat to bring viable treatment options patients with the highest unmet need. We also recognise the importance of moving cancer treatment earlier in the course of the disease to improve outcomes for patients, and as such, have made that a cornerstone of our IO strategy. Through dedicated research, and by being nimble and learning as we go, we’ve been able give hope to patients.

We are laying the foundations for the roads that others will follow in the future.

What inspires you to continue innovating for oncology patients?

What gets me up every morning is the idea that some new revelation will surprise us. Every breakthrough leads to knowledge gained, but we also recognise that even setbacks have their place in advancing our understanding and development of future treatments. It is always wonderful when things go our way, but we learn so much even when it does not. We have to remember that even though progress is not always a straight line, it remains progress — as long as you keep moving forward.

Katy’s story is part of our ongoing series: TrailblAZers in Oncology, which spotlights colleagues on the AstraZeneca Oncology team who are making an impact, both personally and professionally.

Veeva ID: Z4-65382
Date of preparation: June 2024