The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo. The two men where jointly given this prize for their pathbreaking discovery of cancer therapy. The two men have discovered a treatment where in cancer can be regulated by inhibition of negative immune regulation.

A statement issued by the Nobel Academy reads ‘Cancer kills millions of people every year and is one of humanity’s greatest health challenges. By stimulating the ability of our immune system to attack tumour cells, this year’s Nobel Prize laureates have established an entirely new principle for cancer’

It also says, ‘Until the discoveries made by the 2018 Medicine Laureates, progress into clinical development was modest. “Immune checkpoint therapy” has revolutionised cancer treatment and has fundamentally changed the way we view how cancer can be managed.’

With this pathbreaking discovery, scientific community is sure to benefit as it could revolutionise cancer treatment.