This year’s laureates showed how different strategies for inhibiting the brakes on the immune system can be used in the treatment of cancer. Their discoveries are a landmark in our fight against cancer.
The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award
the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to
James P. Allison
Tasuku Honjo
for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation
Coming up
Physiology or Medicine - Monday 1 October, 11:30 a.m. at the earliest
Physics - Tuesday 2 October, 11:45 a.m. at the earliest
Chemistry - Wednesday 3 October, 11:45 a.m. at the earliest
Peace - Friday 5 October, 11:00 a.m.
Economic Sciences - Monday 8 October, 11:45 a.m. at the earliest
Times listed are local time in Sweden.
The Swedish Academy has decided to postpone the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature.
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Quick facts
108 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine have been awarded between 1901 and 2017.
12 women have been awarded the Medicine Prize so far.
32 years was the age of the youngest Medicine Laureate ever, Frederick G. Banting, who was awarded the 1923 Medicine Prize for the discovery of insulin.
87 years was the age of the oldest Medicine Laureate ever, Peyton Rous, when he was awarded the Medicine Prize in 1966 for his discovery of tumour-inducing viruses.
More facts and figures about the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Prizes and laureates
See all Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine 1901-2017 and why they were awarded the Nobel Prize.
Prize awarders
In his last will and testament, Alfred Nobel specifically designated the institutions responsible for the prizes he wished to be established.
The Nobel Foundation supports the Swedish Academy's decision to postpone the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature. Lars Heikensten, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, answers questions concerning the decision.
The announcement of the Nobel Laureates and the Laureates in Economic Sciences for the year is made on the same day that the Nobel Prize awarding institutions choose from among the names recommended by the respective Nobel Committees.
See the full list of all Nobel Laureates, awarded for "the greatest benefit to mankind".
Eleven laureates were awarded Nobel Prizes in 2017. See a short presentation of them here.
See the list of all women awarded a Nobel Prize or a Prize in Economic Sciences so far.
Youngest Nobel Laureate ever is Malala Yousafzai. She was 17 years old when she was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.
News & Insights
A new English translation of Alfred Nobel's will - the document that sparked the creation of the Nobel Prize - has now been completed, making Nobel's original thinking even more accessible.
Here, Lars Heikensten, the Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, answers questions about the latest translation and explains why Nobel's intentions and values are more relevant than ever.
What are you looking for? Search the website.
9 December 2018
Water is essential to the survival of humanity. Every drop is precious. The Nobel Week Dialogue is a free of charge, full-day event bringing together Nobel Laureates, experts and the public. This year’s dialogue will put the spotlight on the importance of water, and why and how we can make a difference together.
© Nobel Media
Nobel destinations
Stockholm, Sweden
The museum showcases the discoveries and creativity of the Nobel Laureates.
Photo: Åke Eson Lindman
Oslo, Norway
The story of each Peace Laureate is told at the museum.
Photo: Johannes Granseth / Nobel Peace Center
In memoriam
Physics Laureate Charles Kao passed away on 23 September. His discoveries have paved the way for optical fiber technology, which today is used for almost all telephony and data communication.
James Mirrlees passed away on 29 August. He was was awarded the 1996 Prize in Economic Sciences for making fundamental contributions to the economic theory of incentives under asymmetric information.
The former UN Secretary General was awarded the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize thanks to his work for a better organised and more peaceful world. Kofi Annan passed away on 18 August in Bern, Switzerland, aged 80.
Literature Laureate V. S. Naipaul passed away on 11 August. He was awarded the Nobel Prize "for having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works that compel us to see the presence of suppressed histories”.