META CEO Mark Zuckerberg honored two scientists for their innovative work in cancer treatment.
Immunologists Carl June and Michel Sadelain were announced Thursday as winners of the prestigious Breakthrough Prize.
Immunologists have engineered T cells that are able to successfully target and kill cancer cells.
A statement on the Breakthrough Prize website about their work said: “Carl June and Michel Sadelain genetically engineered T cells – key players in the body's immune system – with synthetic receptor called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to instruct T cells to recognize cancer cells from individual patients.
“These CAR T cells have a remarkable success rate against liquid cancers, including various types of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For some patients, the tumors were completely removed and did not recur after many years of treatment. »
On his Facebook page Thursday, Zuckerberg congratulated the winners on their victory, writing: "Priscilla and I helped create the Breakthrough Prize to honor scientists who are pushing the boundaries of science life, basic physics and mathematics.
"This year's winners have made incredible progress in understanding the causes of serious diseases and developing new treatments, such as Carl June and Michel Sadelain, who are credited with recognized for his work in engineering T cells to successfully target and destroy cancer cells.
“Congratulations to all the 2024 Breakthrough Prize winners!”
Credit: Ncbi