The Fondation ARC Léopold Griffuel Award

...is a prestigious European cancer research prize that has been awarded annually since 1970.

Fondation ARC is the largest French foundation dedicated entirely to cancer research, and is funded by public donations. Their mission is to support research in the fight to eradicate cancers, with an ambitious goal "to cure 2 cancers out of 3 by 2025".

The award winners are scientists and physicians who have made an important contribution to better understand, diagnose, cure and prevent cancers. The award was created according to the will of the late Mrs Griffuel by bequest, in honour and memory of her late husband, Mr. Léopold Griffuel.

Fondation ARC has announced that two outstanding scientists will receive awards, including prizes of Euro 150,000, in 2019:

In Basic Research, Prof. Laurence Zitvogel (UMR Inserm) for her research in immunology, which improved the understanding of the biological mechanisms of the anticancer immune response and immunotherapies. Her discoveries have changed the way the immune system is understood in relation to cancer treatment.

In Translational and Clinical Research, Prof. Steve Jackson (Wellcome/ Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute) for his work on DNA damage repair and his role in the development of medicines such as PARP1 and 2 inhibitors, currently used for cancer treatment.

Prof Jackson said: "I am deeply honoured and delighted to be given this prestigious award for my research, which has been translated into patient benefit. The field of DNA damage repair has expanded substantially in recent years and continues to provide us with new avenues for understanding the causes of cancer, and identifying new therapeutic targets."

The Fondation ARC also announced that an award ceremony will take place in honour of the laureates on 10th April at the Salon de l’hôtel des Arts et Métiers in Paris, France.