OncLive 2017 recently named melanoma research expert Dr. John Kirkwood one of its Giants of Cancer Care.
Kirkwood works at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, according to an announcement. He was one of 12 people who received the distinction for their work in helping to treat tumors. The winners came from 12 categories: breast cancer, genitourinary cancer, lung cancer, radiation oncology, pediatric oncology, immuno-oncology, supportive/palliative/geriatric care, scientific advances/drug development, melanoma, surgical oncology, gastrointestinal cancer and hematologic malignancies.
Kirkwood studies treatments for melanoma, prevention and melanoma immunobiology. He developed the first immunotherapy that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1996, according to the announcement.
A five-person advisory board of oncologists narrowed the field of people who would become a member of the Giants of Cancer Care network. More than 90 oncologists in the United States then chose the finalists in each group.
