This is Scientific Americans 60 Second Science. I'm Steve Mursky.

The Nobel Assembly at Carolinsky Institute has today decided to award the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to James P.

Allison and Tusku Honjo for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.

Thomas Perilman, Secretary of the Nobel Assembly shortly after 530 this morning Eastern time.

James P. Allison was born in Alice in Texas in the United States.

He performed his prize-winning studies at University of California, Berkeley, and at Memorial

Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

He is now active at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Tusku Honjo was born in Kyoto in Japan. he performed his prize-winning studies at Kyoto University

where he's still active.

Carolinska Institute Immunologist Klaus Shera, a member of the Nobel Committee, explained the significance of immune new pillar in cancer therapy. It represents a completely new principle because unlike the previous

strategies it is not based on targeting the cancer cells but rather the breaks, the checkpoints of the host immune system.

The seminal discoveries by the two laureates constitute a paradigmatic shift and a landmark

in the fight against cancer.

For an in-depth listen about the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine,

look for the Scientific American Science Talk podcast later today.

For Scientific Americans, 60 Second Science, I'm Steve Mursky.