42 Nobel Prize Winners

Two More American Cancer Society Researchers Receive Nobel Prize

The 2007 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to two
former American Cancer Society researchers. Former grantees Mario R.
Capecchi, PhD of the University of Utah and Oliver Smithies, PhD, of the
University of North Carolina are co-winners along with Sir Martin J. Evans
of Cardiff University in Wales of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine for their groundbreaking discoveries that led to a technology
known as gene targeting. Their work enabled scientists to develop targeted
“gene knockout” mouse models that allows the study of specific genes
involved in cancer, as well as in other diseases. Such studies harrow
progress towards a better understanding of how to treat diseases such as
cardiovascular and neuro-degenerative ailments, diabetes, and cancer.

Dr. Capecchi received a four year Faculty Research Award (FRA) from the
American Cancer Society beginning July 1, 1974. Dr. Smithies received
funds for an American Cancer Society Project Grant from July 1, 1974 -
December 31, 1976. The awards bring to 42 the number of Society-supported
researchers who have won the prize since 1946, a record unmatched in the
non-profit arena.

Other American Cancer Society-funded research includes:

-Dr. Brian Druker who showed Gleevec could battle a deadly cancer by precisely targeting leukemia cells

- Dr. Donnall Thomas who developed the Bone Marrow Transplant

-Dr. Mary Claire King discovered the breast cancer gene, and worked to target women at risk

-Cure for childhood leukemia with combination chemotherapy

-Identification of smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer

-Use of Tamoxifen to reduce the risk of second or first breast cancer

-Development of monoclonal antibodies to treat breast cancer (Herceptin) and lymphoma (Rituxan)