Scientists win Nobel Prize for discovering why immune system does not destroy the body

The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo for their groundbreaking work in understanding how the immune system can be harnessed to fight cancer. Their research revealed the key mechanisms that allow the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells while avoiding damage to healthy cells. Allison's work focused on a protein called CTLA-4, which acts as a brake on the immune system. By blocking this brake, the immune system can be unleashed to attack cancer cells. Honjo, on the other hand, discovered another protein, PD-1, which also acts as an immune system checkpoint. By targeting PD-1, the immune system can be reactivated to fight cancer. Their discoveries have led to the development of a new class of cancer immunotherapies, which have revolutionized the treatment of many types of cancer. This groundbreaking work has transformed the way we approach cancer treatment and has the potential to save millions of lives.