This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Immunology chairman receives award for cancer research
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
James Allison, PhD, chair of immunology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, received the 2015 Pezcoller Foundation-American Association for Cancer Research International Award for Cancer Research.
The award recognizes a scientist of international renown who has made a major scientific discovery in basic or translational cancer research.
James Allison
Allison was acknowledged for his discovery that blocking cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) signaling improves antitumor immune responses, as well as for his role in developing the CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab (Yervoy, Bristol-Myer Squibb), a checkpoint inhibitor approved in 2011 for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
“This high honor is yet further recognition of the pioneering work undertaken by Dr. Allison,” Ronald DePinho, MD, president of MD Anderson, said in a press release. “He is, without question, one of the leading cancer researchers in the world today and has made historic contributions to advances in cancer treatment. We are immensely proud of his achievements and congratulate him on being named this year’s Pezcoller Award recipient.”
Allison is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He also is a fellow of the Institute of Medicine, the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and the American Academy of Microbiology.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Pezcoller Award,” Allison said in the release. “This award by the AACR recognizes the efforts of my research team over the years to develop strategies to unleash the immune system to treat cancer, as well as the many other investigators, clinicians, and patients whose efforts and courage made immunotherapy of cancer a reality that is benefiting cancer patients.”