# Tasuku Honjo

> Japanese professor of immunology and genomic medicine (1942–)

**Wikidata**: [Q2395341](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2395341)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasuku_Honjo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tasuku-honjo

## Summary

Tasuku Honjo was born on January 27, 1942, in Kyoto.[1][2][3] He is an immunologist, biochemist, university teacher, and physician. His field is immunology.

## Summary
Tasuku Honjo is a Japanese immunologist and professor of genomic medicine, best known for his groundbreaking work in cancer immunotherapy. He discovered PD-1 (Programmed Death-1), a key immune checkpoint molecule, which led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors—revolutionary cancer treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight tumors. His contributions earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2018.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 27, 1942, in Kyoto, Japan
- **Nationality**: Japanese
- **Education**:
  - MD from Kyoto University (1966)
  - PhD in Medical Chemistry from Kyoto University (1975)
- **Known for**: Discovery of PD-1 and development of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer therapy
- **Employer(s)**:
  - Kyoto University (Professor, Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine)
  - University of Tokyo (Former affiliation)
  - Osaka University (Former affiliation)
  - Hirosaki University (Former affiliation)
- **Field(s)**: Immunology, Genomic Medicine, Cancer Research

## Contributions
Tasuku Honjo's most significant contribution is the discovery of **PD-1 (Programmed Death-1)**, a protein that regulates immune responses. His research demonstrated that blocking PD-1 could unleash the immune system to attack cancer cells, leading to the development of **immune checkpoint inhibitors** like nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda). These drugs have transformed cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients with melanoma, lung cancer, and other malignancies.

Honjo's work also includes:
- **Identification of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)**, a critical enzyme in antibody diversification (2000).
- **Pioneering research on cytokine regulation**, advancing understanding of immune cell communication.
- **Publications in top-tier journals**, including *Nature*, *Science*, and *Cell*, shaping modern immunology.

## FAQs
### What is Tasuku Honjo best known for?
Tasuku Honjo is best known for discovering PD-1, a protein that suppresses immune responses. His work led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a revolutionary class of cancer drugs that help the immune system recognize and attack tumors.

### Where has Tasuku Honjo worked?
Honjo has been affiliated with several prestigious Japanese institutions, including Kyoto University (where he is a professor), the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, and Hirosaki University. He has also collaborated with international research organizations.

### What awards has Tasuku Honjo received?
Honjo has received numerous accolades, including:
- **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2018)** (shared with James P. Allison)
- **Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences (2016)**
- **Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science (2014)**
- **Robert Koch Prize (2018)**
- **Order of Culture (Japan, 2017)**
- **Person of Cultural Merit (Japan)**
- **Asahi Prize (2012)**
- **Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy (2011)**

### How did Tasuku Honjo's discovery impact cancer treatment?
Honjo's discovery of PD-1 and its role in immune suppression led to the development of **immune checkpoint inhibitors**, such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab. These drugs have significantly improved survival rates for patients with advanced cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, and lymphoma.

### What is Tasuku Honjo's educational background?
Honjo earned his **MD (1966)** and **PhD in Medical Chemistry (1975)** from Kyoto University. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Carnegie Institution of Washington and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S.

## Why They Matter
Tasuku Honjo's work revolutionized cancer therapy by unlocking the potential of the immune system to fight tumors. Before his discoveries, cancer treatments relied heavily on chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery—methods with severe side effects and limited efficacy for advanced diseases. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, derived from his research, have become a cornerstone of modern oncology, offering durable remissions and improved quality of life for countless patients.

His influence extends beyond clinical applications:
- **Scientific Paradigm Shift**: Honjo's research redefined immunology, proving that the immune system could be modulated to target cancer.
- **Global Health Impact**: Checkpoint inhibitors are now standard treatments for multiple cancers, saving lives worldwide.
- **Inspiration for Future Research**: His work has spurred further exploration into combination therapies and personalized immunotherapy.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2018)** for discovering PD-1 and developing cancer immunotherapy.
- **Discovery of PD-1 (1992)**, a breakthrough in understanding immune regulation.
- **Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors**, leading to FDA-approved drugs like nivolumab (Opdivo).
- **Identification of AID (2000)**, advancing knowledge of antibody diversification.
- **Member of prestigious academies**, including the Japan Academy, National Academy of Sciences (U.S.), and German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
- **Recipient of major awards**, including the Kyoto Prize, Tang Prize, and Robert Koch Prize.
- **Professor at Kyoto University**, one of Japan's most esteemed research institutions.
- **Over 300 peer-reviewed publications**, shaping modern immunology and cancer research.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Tasuku Honjo was born on **January 27, 1942, in Kyoto, Japan**. He pursued his medical education at **Kyoto University**, earning his **MD in 1966** and later a **PhD in Medical Chemistry in 1975**. His early research focused on biochemical mechanisms underlying immune responses.

### Career and Research
Honjo's career spans decades of groundbreaking work in immunology:
- **1970s–1980s**: Conducted postdoctoral research in the U.S., including at the **Carnegie Institution of Washington** and the **National Institutes of Health (NIH)**.
- **1980s–1990s**: Returned to Japan, joining **Kyoto University** as a professor. His lab discovered **PD-1 in 1992**, identifying its role in suppressing T-cell activity—a mechanism later exploited by cancer cells to evade immune detection.
- **2000s**: Identified **AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase)**, crucial for antibody diversification, further cementing his reputation in immunology.

### Key Discoveries
1. **PD-1 (Programmed Death-1)**:
   - Discovered in **1992**, PD-1 was found to inhibit immune responses, preventing autoimmune reactions.
   - Honjo's team demonstrated that blocking PD-1 could restore immune activity against tumors, leading to the development of **checkpoint inhibitor drugs** (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab).
   - These drugs received **FDA approval in the 2010s**, transforming treatment for melanoma, lung cancer, and other malignancies.

2. **AID (Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase)**:
   - Discovered in **2000**, AID is essential for **somatic hypermutation** and **class-switch recombination** in antibodies.
   - This work deepened understanding of adaptive immunity and autoimmune diseases.

### Awards and Recognition
Honjo's contributions have been honored globally:
- **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2018)** (shared with James P. Allison).
- **Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences (2016)** for advancing immunology.
- **Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science (2014)** for cancer immunotherapy.
- **Order of Culture (Japan, 2017)** and **Person of Cultural Merit** for scientific achievements.
- **Robert Koch Prize (2018)** for biomedical research.

### Affiliations and Leadership
- **Kyoto University**: Longtime professor and researcher.
- **Japan Academy**: Member and recipient of the **Imperial Prize (2011)**.
- **National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)** and **German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina**: Elected member.
- **International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS)**: Contributed to global immunology research.

### Legacy and Impact
Honjo's work has:
- **Saved countless lives** through immune checkpoint inhibitors.
- **Inspired new cancer therapies**, including combination treatments and CAR-T cell therapies.
- **Advanced immunology as a field**, influencing research in autoimmunity, infectious diseases, and transplantation.

His discoveries remain foundational in modern medicine, exemplifying the power of basic science to drive clinical innovation.

## References

1. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-2300-3928/employment/17966401)
2. [Source](https://www.asahi.com/corporate/award/asahi/12737983)
3. [The Imperial Prize,Japan Academy Prize,Duke of Edinburgh Prize Recipients 81st - 90th | The Japan Academy](https://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/activities/jyusho/081to090.html)
4. [Robert Koch Award](https://www.robert-koch-stiftung.de/index.php?article_id=15&clang=1)
5. [Robert-Koch-Preis. Robert Koch Foundation](https://www.robert-koch-stiftung.de/index.php?article_id=15&clang=0)
6. [Source](https://www.cancerresearch.org/william-b-coley-award)
7. [Source](https://www.ms-fund.keio.ac.jp/en/prize/list.html)
8. [Source](https://www.kyotoprize.org/en/laureates/)
9. [Source](https://clarivate.com/citation-laureates)
10. [Source](https://warrenalpert.org/prize-recipients/tasuku-honjo)
11. [Tasuku Honjo Facts. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2018/honjo/facts/)
12. [Source](https://www.univ-amu.fr/system/files/2021-11/DIRCOM-AMU-SS-LIVRET-2021-WEB.pdf)
13. International Standard Name Identifier
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. National Diet Library
16. CiNii Research
17. [Tasuku Honjo – NAS](https://www.nasonline.org/directory-entry/tasuku-honjo-ku2lez/)
18. [Personal Information - HONJO Tasuku | The Japan Academy](https://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/members/7/honjo_tasuku.html)
19. Combination therapy strategies for improving PD-1 blockade efficacy: a new era in cancer immunotherapy.
20. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
21. Munzinger Personen
22. IdRef
23. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
24. KAKEN