Jim Allison, Ph.D.
MD Anderson immunologist Jim Allison awarded Nobel Prize
Jim Allison, Ph.D., chair of Immunology and executive director of the Immunotherapy Platform at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for launching an effective new way to attack cancer by treating the immune system rather than the tumor. Allison is the first MD Anderson scientist to receive the world’s most preeminent award for outstanding discoveries in the fields of life sciences and medicine.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this prestigious recognition,” Allison said. “A driving motivation for scientists is simply to push the frontiers of knowledge. I didn’t set out to study cancer, but to understand the biology of T cells - these incredible cells travel our bodies and work to protect us.”
Celebrating Jim Allison's Nobel Prize
Allison and co-winner Tasuku Honjo, M.D., Ph.D., discuss their research at the 2018 Nobel Week news conference. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
Allison is honored by employees during MD Anderson's Nobel Prize parade.
Jim Allison receives the Nobel Prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. (Pontus Lundahl/Pool Photo via AP)
Allison delivers his Nobel lecture at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. (Credit: Christine Olsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Allison signs the bottom of a chair at Bistro Nobel in the Nobel Museum, a tradition for Nobel Prize winners. (Credit: Claudio Bresciani/TT via AP)
Allison and co-winner Tasuku Honjo, M.D., Ph.D., discuss their research at the 2018 Nobel Week news conference. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
Allison is honored by employees during MD Anderson's Nobel Prize parade.
Jim Allison receives the Nobel Prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. (Pontus Lundahl/Pool Photo via AP)
Allison delivers his Nobel lecture at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. (Credit: Christine Olsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Celebrating immunotherapy’s pioneer
By finding a way to free the immune system to attack tumors, Allison invented immune checkpoint blockade, opening up an entirely new way to treat cancer.
The future of immunotherapy
Jim Allison describes what it's like to meet patients who have benefited from his discovery and what's next in the field.
2018 Nobel Week
During Nobel Week, Allison will participate in press conferences, give his Nobel lecture and receive his Nobel Prize.
The game changer
James Allison proved the human immune system could fight cancer, and his innovative work has earned him a lot of praise, including that of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
How does cancer immunotherapy work?
Traditionally, cancer treatment has revolved around chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. But thanks to groundbreaking immune checkpoint blockade research led by Jim Allison, Ph.D., winner of
Allison named one of TIME’s 100 most influential
MD Anderson Cancer Center Chair of Immunology Jim Allison, Ph.D., was named to the 2017 Time 100 list.
Jim Allison awarded Kovalenko medal
National Academy of Sciences awards Kovalenko medal to immunotherapy pioneer Jim Allison.
Celebrating immunotherapy’s pioneer
By finding a way to free the immune system to attack tumors, Allison invented immune checkpoint blockade, opening up an entirely new way to treat cancer.
The future of immunotherapy
Jim Allison describes what it's like to meet patients who have benefited from his discovery and what's next in the field.