Laureate Prof. Wolf-Herman Fridman, MD, PhD
Prof. Wolf-Herman Fridman (79), MD, PhD, is one of the pioneers of immuno-oncology – the field of research that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Now Professor Emeritus of Immunology at the Cordeliers Research Centre of the Université Paris Cité, he discovered back in the 1960s that the immune system of leukaemia patients can recognise their own tumour cells – a ground-breaking discovery that laid the foundation for modern cancer therapies. His research showed that the immune response is decisively controlled in the tumour microenvironment, i.e. directly in the tumour environment. This approach led to the development of immunotherapies, which today enable a complete cure for various types of cancer.
‘When I started, cancer was considered incurable – today, we can fight it with the immune system,’ says Fridman, describing the revolution in his field. His findings contributed to the establishment of targeted antibody therapies that activate the immune system in oncology worldwide. He is being honoured for his life's work with the Jung Gold Medal for Medicine. With the associated scholarship, he would like to support a young scientist who will continue along this research path. In addition to science, he is passionate about art, music and literature – and enjoys losing himself in foreign cities. ‘Curiosity drives me – be it in my research or on my travels.’