This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three scientists—Mary E. Brunkow, Frederick J. Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi—for discoveries that help explain why the immune system sometimes turns against the body. Their work could lead to better treatments for autoimmune diseases like myositis, offering new hope to patients and families affected by these challenging conditions.
Our immune system is designed to protect us from infections and harmful invaders. But sometimes, it gets confused and starts attacking healthy tissues. This is what happens in autoimmune diseases like dermatomyositis, polymyositis, immune mediated necrotizing myopathy, inclusion body myositis, antisynthetase syndrome, and others.
The Nobel Prize winners discovered a special type of immune cell called regulatory T cells, or Tregs. These cells act like peacekeepers, helping the immune system know when to stop fighting. They also identified a key gene called FOXP3, which is essential for these peacekeeper cells to work properly.
When FOXP3 doesn’t function correctly, the immune system can go haywire, leading to serious autoimmune problems. Thanks to these discoveries, scientists now understand much more about how the body keeps the immune system in check.
Why Is This Important for Myositis?
Myositis is a group of rare autoimmune diseases that cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and sometimes skin rashes or lung problems. Treatments often involve medications that suppress the immune system, which can help but also come with side effects like increased risk of infections.
The Nobel-winning research opens the door to new kinds of treatments that could be more targeted and gentle. Instead of shutting down the whole immune system, future therapies might focus on boosting or repairing the peacekeeper cells, helping the body calm its own immune response naturally. While these treatments are still in development, the Nobel Prize highlights how far we’ve come—and how close we may be to better answers.
Supporting Research Matters
Breakthroughs like this don’t happen overnight. They are the result of years of research, often funded by donations and organizations like The Myositis Association (TMA).
TMA supports scientists working to understand myositis and find better treatments. The Nobel Prize shows that investing in basic science—like how the immune system works—can lead to life-changing discoveries.
Dr. Janine Lamb, who leads TMA’s Research Grants Committee, says, “This is exactly why we support early-stage research. It may take time, but it can lead to breakthroughs that change lives.”
If you or someone you love is living with myositis, this Nobel Prize is a reminder that progress is happening. You can be part of it by:
- Staying informed about new research and clinical trials
- Supporting organizations like TMA that fund research and advocate for patients
- Sharing your story to raise awareness and inspire others
- Advocating for more federal funding for medical research
Medical research is a team effort—and patients are a vital part of that team.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine celebrates a discovery that helps explain why autoimmune diseases happen and how we might stop them. For the myositis community, this is a moment of hope. As we look to the future, we continue to support research, advocate for patients, and believe in the power of science to heal.