Allison and Honjo receive the Novel in Medicine by opening the way to immunotherapy from the checkpoint to fight cancer

2018/10/01 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Sariak
• Medikuntza
• Anatomia/Fisiologia

Allison and Honjo have researched separately how to fight cancer by acting on the immune system. In fact, the immune system works at many levels to separate good cells from malignant cells and to destroy them. T cells and proteins that act on them are part of this system, some activate T cells and others galgas. This balance is essential to combat pathogens without causing autoimmune diseases.

Allison and Honjo investigate proteins that slow down T cells, eliminating or inactivating them, so that the immune system can cope with cancer cells.

Affecting the gallon of T cells

In the 1990s, Allison investigated the CTLA-4 protein. It is one of the proteins of T cells and, among others, Allison discovered that it works as a galga. He later designed an antibody associated with CTLA-4 and showed that he was able to release T cells and resist cancer cells.

In 1994 he carried out a first experiment in mouse with a totally successful result. In 2010 she held a clinical session in people with advanced melanoma, with results far superior to any other treatment.

Honjo has also investigated a T cell protein: Protein PD-1. He found it in 1992 and showed that he also worked as a galga, like the ctla-4, but through a meste mechanism. However, its blockade allowed T cells to attack cancer cells and the results were even more spectacular than with Allison's strategy: In 2012 he managed to cure patients with different types of cancer and mestastasia.

The investigations of Allison and Honjo have opened the way to the immunotherapy of the control post. It is a totally innovative therapy, in which the joint use of its strategies has allowed to obtain truly encouraging results. They can be combined with other treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery… Numerous clinical sessions are currently being held to treat other types of cancer, improve effectiveness, and avoid side effects. For all this, undoubtedly, the Nobel Prize is deserved, according to the organization of the Nobel Prize.