Giorgio Trinchieri, MD, is the recipient of the 2018 BioLegend William E Paul Award for Excellence in Cytokine Research in recognition of his collective contributions to the field of cytokine biology. “The ICIS is honored to present the BioLegend William E. Paul Award to Dr. Trinchieri this year for his pioneering contributions to our understanding of the role of cytokines in inflammation, immunity, and cancer. His discovery of interleukin-12 provided the link between cells and cytokines of innate immunity with those of adaptive immunity. His cutting-edge research on the interface of inflammation and immunity will continue to provide knowledge that will translate basic science discoveries to clinical therapeutics.” said Dr. Nancy Reich Marshall, President of the ICIS.
Dr. Trinchieri is currently the Director of the Cancer and Inflammation Program and an NIH Distinguished Investigator. Previously Dr. Trinchieri held positions as Professor and Chair of the Immunology Program at the Wistar institute (1990-1999) in Philadelphia, PA and Director of the Schering Plough Laboratory for Immunological Research in Dardilly, France (1999-2004).
Dr. Trinchieri is internationally recognized for his seminal contributions to the field of cytokine biology. Collectively, his work has led to the characterization of critical elements involved in the interplay between inflammation/innate resistance and adaptive immunity, and in the definition of central roles of cytokines and interferons in the regulation of hematopoiesis, innate resistance and immunity in infections and cancer.
Dr. Trinchieri together with his team and collaborators has a long list of seminal discoveries in the field of cytokine biology including but not limited to:
- The discovery and cloning of Interleukin-12
- The identification of Interleukin-12 as the major cytokine regulating Th1 responses
- Demonstration of the critical role of Interleukin-12 in the axis dendritic cells/phagocytic cells/NK cells/ T and B cells at the interface between innate resistance/inflammation and adaptive immunity
- The discovery and cloning of human 2B4 (CD244) receptor on NK and T cells and identification of its functions and binding to CD48
- The identification of human natural interferon producing cells (now known as plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells) and their essential role in NK cell-mediated lysis of virus-infected cells.
- The identification of the mouse Type I Interferon producing cells or plasmacytoid DC and characterization of their role in viral infections and in the immune response
- The identification of the central role of IL-10 in suppressing anti-cancer functions of macrophages and Dendritic cells, and identification of IL-10 antagonism (anti-IL-10 antibodies) as a promising therapeutic approach for inducing both innate and adaptive anti-cancer defense mechanisms
Dr. Trinchieri’s work truly defined the area of IL-12 biology and has led to multiple patents for use of IL12 in therapeutics.
In recognition of his work Dr. Trinchieri has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Cancer Research Institute’s W. B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic and Clinical Immunology, the Milstein Award from the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research, the Lifetime Honorary Membership Award, International Cytokine Society, the Richard V. Smalley, MD Memorial Award from Society for immunotherapy of Cancer and was listed as the 1st most cited immunologist in 1993-2003 period by Highly Cited Researchers, Immunology and Clinical Medicine.
The ICIS-BioLegend William E. Paul Award represents the pinnacle of scientific achievement in cytokine research. The William E. Paul Award is bestowed upon a leading biomedical research scientist who has made outstanding contributions to cytokine research, either in a basic or applied field as demonstrated by publications, oral presentations and consistent scientific advancements in cytokine biology throughout their career, through the generosity of BioLegend. The awardee is selected by the ICIS Awards Committee based on nominations received from the international scientific community. The selection is based on strength and consistency throughout their career of cytokine research publications in peer reviewed journals, contributions to cytokine biology through the publication of reviews and book chapters, long term evidence of presenting their work on cytokine biology to the international community in oral presentations and leadership in the field as demonstrated by organization of cytokine biology meetings and chairing of sessions focused on cytokine biology at national/international meetings.