Nobel Prize in Medicine 2025 Awarded for Groundbreaking Research on Immune System Regulation

Addis Ababa, October 6, 2025 (FMC) – The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2025 has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their pioneering work on how the immune system prevents attacking the body’s own cells, a process known as peripheral immune tolerance.

Their research has unveiled the mechanisms that enable the immune system to differentiate between harmful invaders and the body’s own tissues. This breakthrough is considered a major advancement in understanding autoimmune diseases and developing potential treatments, as well as improving outcomes in organ transplantation.

The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm recognized the laureates’ work for its transformative impact on modern medicine. Their findings have provided critical insight into autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The announcement marks the first of this year’s Nobel Prizes, which also include awards in Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. The formal award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, commemorating the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

Brunkow and Ramsdell’s research in the United States, alongside Sakaguchi’s work in Japan, collectively mapped the role of regulatory T cells, which act as key moderators in the immune system, preventing self-destructive immune responses. Experts say these discoveries could pave the way for targeted therapies that modulate the immune system without compromising its ability to fight infections.

The Nobel Prize committee emphasized that the laureates’ contributions have not only expanded scientific knowledge but also hold practical promise for improving human health globally.