[ad_1]
It is this fundamental science that led to Allison's breakthrough – the development of an antibody to block the "checkpoint" protein on T cells, thus freeing these cells to attack cancer. This led directly to the first immune checkpoint inhibitor drug, Ipilimumab, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 for the treatment of advanced melanoma. This drug and other immunotherapy drugs have since been used to treat patients with lymphoma, lung cancer, kidney and other forms.
We contacted the 70-year-old Nobel laureate this week to congratulate him, but also to explain to what extent basic science – and the funding allocated by the federal government and the state – were essential to his almost 40 years of research and medical progress in general.
"Fundamental science is the fundamental foundation for major advances in medical treatment," said Allison. "My first research in T cell biology was funded by the National Cancer Institute. Basic research is not often understood. It's complex and it takes a thick skin to support failures after failures in search of success. It takes money and patience to get answers, but the proposed solution can save many lives. "
The National Institutes of Health, said Allison, "remains the largest funding mechanism for medical research in the world." But he also commended his country of origin, "Texas has recognized the opportunity to accelerate discovery and fundamental science by investing years by the Texas Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention. . "
[ad_2]Source link
