Three scientists, Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi, were awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work on peripheral immune tolerance, as announced by the Nobel committee. This year’s award focuses on the regulation of the immune system to combat various pathogens while preventing autoimmune diseases, explained by Marie Wahren-Herlenius, a rheumatology professor at the Karolinska Institute.
Brunkow, a senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, Ramsdell, a scientific advisor at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, and Sakaguchi, a distinguished professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Center at Osaka University in Japan, were recognized for their discovery of regulatory T cells that play a crucial role in preventing the immune system from attacking the body. Their findings have paved the way for new research areas and the development of innovative treatments for cancer and autoimmune conditions.
Brunkow, awakened by her dog barking at a news photographer, learned of her win. She, along with Ramsdell, identified a gene named FOXP3, which serves as a marker for these specialized cells. Describing regulatory T cells as a vital control mechanism for immune responses, Brunkow highlighted their significance in preventing autoimmune reactions.
Sakaguchi expressed surprise during a media conference in Osaka, Japan, stating that he anticipated more advancements before receiving such prestigious recognition. He received a congratulatory call from Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during the event.
The Nobel Institute mentioned that while specific therapies involving regulatory T cells are still in the experimental phase, over 200 human trials are ongoing. Companies like Sonoma Biotherapeutics, supported by Regeneron, and Quell Therapeutics, in partnership with AstraZeneca, are actively researching therapies for diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Established by Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Prize aims to reward individuals who have made significant contributions to humanity. Apart from Physiology or Medicine, the Nobel awards are also conferred in the fields of physics, chemistry, literature, and peace, with a prize amount of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.6 million Cdn) each. The peace prize will be awarded on Friday, following the announcements for chemistry and physics on Tuesday and Wednesday, literature on Thursday, and economics on October 13. Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Ernest Hemingway, and Nelson Mandela, have left a lasting impact on their respective fields. The Nobel prizes are traditionally presented on December 10th, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
