The father of CAR T cells, Prof. Zelig Eshhar, passed away

Prof. Zelig Eshhar is a world leading cancer researcher and immunologist, pioneer in the development of the “chimeric antigen receptor” (CAR) technology which became a breakthrough technology in the treatment of cancer.

Prof. Eshhar served as the chair of the immunology department at the Weizmann Institute and as the head of the immunology research center at Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

Grown up in Rehovot and after his service in the Israel Defense Force, he studied agriculture in Rehovot (bachelor’s degree in biology) and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (master’s degree in biochemistry). He completed his doctoral studies in the lab of Michael Sela at the Weizmann Institute and his postdoctoral studies at Harvard University in the department of Baruj Benacerraf, Nobel Prize laureate for the discovery of the major histocompatibility complex genes.

In 1982 Zelig Eshhar was awarded a professorship at the Weizmann Institute where he started his pioneering work on redirecting T cells by genetic engineering which became his well-known research topic, establishing a new field of research. First reported in 1989, his team developed the first immunoglobulin-T-cell receptor chimeric molecules as functional receptors with antibody-type specificity, which he nicknamed “T-body” and are now known as “chimeric antigen receptor” CAR, with the aim to reprogram T cells to recognize and destroy defined cells, including cancer cells.

Patient’s own blood T cells, engineered with a second generation CAR, proved very effective in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma, achieving lasting cure in thousands of patients. The “CAR T cell therapy” is now established in multiple centers over the world giving hope to countless cancer patients around the world. Same CAR T cells are now also successfully used to treat auto-immune diseases.

Eshhar was awarded with the Israel Prize in life sciences in 2015 and the Dan David Prize in 2021. In 2024 he received the Canada Gairdner International Award and also the VinFuture Prize’s Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields alongside Carl H. June and Michel Sadelain for their contributions to the development and advancement of CAR T cell therapy.

“My real prize is saving lives,” Prof. Eshhar was quoted by Haaretz. “Sick people becoming healthy is more important than any cash prize, honor or glory.” And that is as we also remember him.

Zelig Eshhar was the spiritus rector of the first CAR T cell EU consortium, ATTACK, in Europe in the mid 90’s, when the idea of genetically redirecting T cells was in its early years. Zelig was a brilliant thinker, generous mentor and beloved colleague. His passion and scientific curiosity inspired everyone who had the privilege to work with him. We will deeply miss him.

Zelig leaves behind three children and six grandchildren. Our sympathy is with his family.