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ASCO recognizes immunology pioneer
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ASCO presented its Science of Oncology Award to James P. Allison, PhD, chair of immunology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The award recognizes Allison for his research that led to the understanding that the immune system can play a crucial role in cancer treatment.
Allison’s research focuses on development of new drugs that block checkpoints or stimulate immune response.
His research led to the clinical development of ipilimumab (Yervoy, Bristol-Myers Squibb), a CTLA-4 inhibitor now approved for melanoma treatment. Long-term follow-up showed 22% of patients with late-stage disease treated with ipilimumab survived at least 4 years, and some survived more than 10 years.
“I’m grateful for this recognition from ASCO and optimistic that immune checkpoint blockade, in rational combination with other therapies, may prove to be curative for many patients across different types of cancer,” Allison said in a press release.
Allison also is deputy director of the David H Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers at MD Anderson, and he is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine.