AFFILIATION
The Weizmann Institute of Science and Sourasky Medical Center, Israel
SUMMARY OF WINNING ENTRY
For Development of CAR T Cell Therapy for Cancer and Other Diseases
Professor Eshhar was the first to genetically engineer T cells and combine the killing potential of T cells with the specificity of the variable part of antibodies, by producing chimeric antigen-receptor (CAR) molecules expressed on T cells. Professor Eshhar’s first proof-of-concept foundational study in 1989 using engineered (CAR) T cells led to an entirely new type of immune therapy to treat cancer and to control autoimmune diseases. Indeed, he and his team demonstrated that the CAR-T-cell receptor chimera enabled T cells to kill target cancer cells. This study enabled subsequent innovations worldwide that ushered in successful clinical applications and stimulated the biopharmaceutical industry.
SCALE OF IMPACT
Professor Eshhar’s foundational study opened a field based on an entirely new technology on T cells that paved the way to the innovative works of Professors June and Sadelain, to successfully treat cancer patients. The concept of CAR-T cells provided the foundation for the development of T-cell chimera receptor cells using the patients’ own T cells not only for cancer treatment but also now for autoimmune diseases.
MEANINGFUL CHANGE
Professor Eshhar’s vision ignited a revolution in oncology, transforming the field of cancer therapy using a “living drug” which has proven very efficient to save lives of cancer patients. It is fair to say that Professor Eshhar pioneered an active biomedical research field and a now vibrant biopharmaceutical industry that already prove to save lives and hold hope for additional biomedical applications. Further innovations are expected to provide treatments in an economically affordable manner for worldwide benefit.