On Jun. 16, 1981, Dr. Thomas Waldmann with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), helped treat the first patient with AIDS. 

Waldmann’s pivotal studies revolutionized our understanding of the roles played by the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor and interleukin-15 (IL-15) receptor cytokine systems in the life and death of T lymphocytes. In characterizing the first cytokine receptor, IL-2, his team set the stage for understanding the biology and biochemistry of this family of molecules and then demonstrated that antibodies specific for the IL-2 receptor were useful in treating adult T-cell leukemia, prolonging survival of transplant recipients, and treating multiple sclerosis.

In 1994, Waldmann and his team co-discovered the cytokine IL-15. Like IL-2, IL-15 triggers the production of immune cells that attack and kill cancer cells. His group initiated the first-in-human IL-15 clinical trial in 2011. Furthermore, Waldmann initiated clinical trials to evaluate IL-15’s capacity to augment antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity when administered with tumor directed monoclonal antibodies. This work exemplifies his passionate pursuit for developing therapeutics for cancer and AIDS.

In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved daclizumab, the antibody he discovered, for use in the therapy of relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Collectively, Waldmanns career was full of tremendous originality and scientific novelty. He contributed to the acceleration of progress in cancer research that has major implications for future discoveries. His over 880 publications and over 100 named honorary lectures or keynote addresses have had an enduring impact on the work of others and has led to his receipt of countless honors.