Analysis for Science Librarians of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: The Life and Work of James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo

Authors

Neyda V. GilmanFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0447-1443

Document Type

Case Study

Publication Date

1-4-2019

Keywords

2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, immune checkpoint, immuno-oncology, CLTA-4, PD-1

Abstract

On October 1, 2018, James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo were awarded the 2018 Physiology or Medicine Nobel for their work leading to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition (ICI). ICI is the fourth pillar of cancer treatment and has been used to treat previously un-treatable cancers. Allison discovered that the protein CTLA-4 acts as a T cell brake while Honjo discovered another T cell brake, PD-1. Releasing these brakes allows the immune system to attack tumors, sometimes leading to complete elimination. While there is still more research to be done, Allison’s and Honjo’s work is a breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy.

Publisher Attribution

File updated November 2021.

Recommended Citation

Gilman, Neyda V. "Analysis for Science Librarians of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: The Life and Work of James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo." Science & Technology Libraries 38, no. 1 (2019): 1-29.