Newswise — SAN DIEGO — The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) will present Robert D. Schreiber, Ph.D., Alumni Endowed Professor of Pathology and Immunology, Professor of Molecular Microbiology, and Director of the Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., with the second annual AACR-CRI Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, to be held in San Diego, Calif., April 5-9.
Schreiber, who is currently a senior editor of AACR’s newest journal, Cancer Immunology Research, and associate director of CRI’s scientific advisory council, will give his lecture, “Cancer Immunoediting: Applying Mechanistic Insights to Cancer Immunotherapy,” Wednesday, April 9, 10 a.m. PT, in Ballroom A-D in the San Diego Convention Center.
Schreiber is being recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of cancer immunology, which have helped establish a clearer understanding of the immune system’s role in tumor progression. His important discoveries include the identification of IFNγ as a key cytokine in antitumor immunity and the development of the cancer immunoediting concept, which integrates the host protective and tumor promoting functions of the immune system and provides a framework for the design of cancer immunotherapies. Recently, Schreiber and colleagues showed that genomics approaches could be used to define tumor specific antigens, a result that paves the way for development of personalized cancer immunotherapies.
“I am tremendously honored to receive this recognition from AACR and CRI. This award is particularly meaningful to me because it bears the name of Lloyd J. Old, who so significantly influenced the course of my career by getting me interested in the field of cancer immunology,” said Schreiber. “It is indeed a very exciting time to be working in this area of research and to see some of that work translated by others into novel and effective cancer immunotherapies. I am grateful to the large number of talented young investigators who contributed their efforts to the development of our research program over the years and to the many colleagues, both at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and elsewhere, who provided indispensable advice and support for our efforts.”
The AACR-CRI Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology was established in 2013 in honor of the late Lloyd J. Old, M.D., who is considered the “Father of Modern Tumor Immunology.” Old’s outstanding research in the field of cancer immunology, as well as his decades of leadership in fostering the field, had a widespread influence on cancer research. The award is intended to recognize an active cancer immunologist who, like Old, has done outstanding and innovative research in cancer immunology that has had a far-reaching impact on the field.
Schreiber is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a past member of the board of scientific advisors at the National Cancer Institute. Other accolades include election in 1996 as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the 2001 William B. Coley Award from CRI, and the 2007 Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Prize for Cancer Research.
Schreiber received his doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo and completed his postdoctoral training at the Scripps Institute in La Jolla, Calif., where he served on the faculty before joining Washington University.
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About the American Association for Cancer ResearchFounded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 34,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 18,000 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes eight peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org. Follow the AACR Twitter: @AACR. Follow the AACR on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aacr.org.
About the Cancer Research InstituteThe Cancer Research Institute (CRI), a nonprofit established in 1953, is the global leader in cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Since its inception, CRI has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to support research conducted by more than 3,000 scientists and clinicians worldwide to understand the immune system and how it can be harnessed to conquer all cancers. This work has laid the foundation for nearly every major cancer immunotherapy breakthrough over the past half century. Guided by an international panel of the world’s leading immunologists and cancer immunologists, including three Nobel laureates and 26 members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, CRI provides essential funding to support every stage of discovery, from laboratory investigation to clinical trials of the most promising cancer immunotherapies for patients. CRI also sponsors a seminal international symposium on cancer immunology each year, forges collaborative partnerships between academia and industry to facilitate the development pathway for novel immunotherapeutics, presents special recognition awards to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cancer research, patient care and public awareness. Through its sustaining support and leadership in the field, CRI is accelerating the development of safe and effective immunotherapies that stand to revolutionize the treatment of all cancers. For more information, visit http://cancerresearch.org or follow CRI on Twitter @CancerResearch.
Meeting Link: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2014
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