86R7067 CW-D
By: Davis of Harris H.R. No. 161
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. James P. Allison, chair of the department of
immunology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in
Houston, was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine; and
WHEREAS, A world-renowned scientist and pioneer in cancer
immunotherapy, Dr. Allison received the award jointly with
Japanese immunologist Tasuku Honjo for their independent discovery
of cancer therapies that stimulate the immune system to attack
tumor cells; during Dr. Allison's research of T cells, white blood
cells that regulate a wide range of immune responses, he found that
deactivating the protein CTLA-4 can unleash the body's power to
fight back against malignant tumors; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Allison earned his doctoral degree at The
University of Texas at Austin; the executive director of the
Immunotherapy Platform at MD Anderson Cancer Center, he is also the
center's Vivian L. Smith Distinguished Chair in Immunology and the
director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy; among
his myriad honors, he is a member of the National Academies of
Science and Medicine, and he was recognized with the Lasker-Debakey
Clinical Medical Research Award in 2015; and
WHEREAS, The groundbreaking contributions of Dr. James
Allison have placed him at the forefront of a promising new field of
cancer research, and his efforts are inspiring other scientists in
the Lone Star State and beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. James P. Allison on his receipt
of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and extend to him
sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Allison as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.