The 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to 2 researchers in cancer immunotherapy

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2018 was awarded Monday to James P. Allison of the United States and Tasuku Honjo of Japan for their work to release the immune system's ability to fight cancer, a breakthrough in the development of new cancer treatments.

Why did they win?

Dr. Allison and Honjo, working separately, have shown how some proteins act as "brakes" on the T cells of the immune system, limiting their ability to attack cancer cells, and that suppressing these proteins could transform the ability of the body to fight against cancer.

Why is work important?

Dr. Honjo at Kyoto University and Dr. Allison at the University of California at Berkeley and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York until their breakthroughs. The cancer treatments consisted of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Their work led to a fourth class of treatment, exploiting the immune system.

Who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2017?

Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young have been recognized for their discoveries of the molecular mechanisms that control the circadian rhythm of the body. Understanding the misalignments between a person's lifestyle and the rhythm dictated by their internal chronometer has implications for health and the risks of illness.

• The Nobel Prize for Literature has been postponed. The institution that chooses the winner is mixed up in a scandal involving allegations of sexual misconduct, financial misconduct and repeated leaks – a crisis that has resulted in the departure of several members of the board of directors and required the intervention of the King of Sweden. Two winners could be announced next year. Check out the winner of last year, Kazuo Ishiguro.