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CANCER
IMMUNOTHERAPY
hISTORY
1890s
William Coley, also know as "Father of Cancer Immunotherapy" used a mixture of heat-killed bacteria (Coley's toxins) to treat cancer patients and noticed tumors shrunk.
1901
Researchers explore the possibilities of new technology. Development of x-rays and radiation therapy as potential cancer treatment.
1957
Physician Lewis Thomas and immunologist propose a hypothesis that the immune system patrols and protects the body from cancer.
1957
Virologist Charlotte Friend discovers leukemia, a virus in mice. Her discovery leads to the idea that viruses can cause cancer. Her discovery is now known as the "Friend Leukemia Virus".
1959
Lloyd Old, also known as "Father of Modern Tumor Immunology" published a paper about bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). In mice, it showed resistance of growth in implanted tumors. This was the first demonstration that the body's immune defenses can fight against cancer.
1973
Oncologist Robert O'Reilly performed the first bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. Bone marrow transplant is a standard treatment used for blood cancers. It's considered immunotherapy because immune cells from the donor kills cells in the receiver.
1975
Lloyd Old, Elizabeth Carswell and other colleagues identify a powerful immune system molecule that causes tumors to hemorrhage and die known as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF). First immune system molecule to show direct effect on cancer.
1982
Immunologist Alan Houghton discovers antigens in melanoma tumors. Today, drugs targeting antigens is a standard part of cancer treatment.
2001
Marcel van den Brink developed a treatment that would enhance immune recovery.
2002
A genetically made T cell is developed which is more powerful way to fight leukemia and various blood cells.
2011
An immune checkpoint inhibitor called Ipilimumab becomes FDA approved and is used to treat advanced melanoma.
2015
FDA approves immunotherapy treament, nivolumab, for patients with kidney cancer.
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