Once regarded as a terminal illness with no cure, cancer has now brought new hope to patients with a rare form of leukemia thanks to the breakthrough work of three scientists. The 2026 Shaw Prize laureates were announced yesterday (May 27), with the Life Sciences and Medicine Prize recognizing research that has transformed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) from one of the deadliest cancers into one of the most curable.
Separately, a total of seven scientists received awards this year across three categories—Astronomy, Life Sciences and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences—recognizing their breakthrough contributions to both basic research and significant applications.
This year's Life Sciences and Medicine Prize is shared by French scientist Anne Dejean, Hugues de Thé of France's Collège de France, and Chen Zhu of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, together with Dr. Chen Zhu's theoretical work credited for developing a coordinated targeted treatment strategy rooted in both biomedical science and traditional medical approaches. The prize also honors their collective contributions to uncovering the molecular and cellular basis of APL and establishing targeted therapy protocols.
According to the citation, Dejean and de Thé discovered the pathological foundations of APL, while Chen Zhu built on theoretical foundations by integrating traditional Chinese medicine concepts. He helped develop a coordinated targeted treatment regimen using all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic, commonly known as "white arsenic."
Researchers said the work shifts APL treatment away from a "scorched-earth" approach and toward precision and personalized medicine—raising cure rates to over 90% and changing how the medical community treats cancer. Rather than targeting cancer cells indirectly by "treating the symptoms," the approach focuses on treating the underlying cause, setting a precedent for targeted therapies that will benefit future generations.
The 2026 Astronomy Prize was jointly awarded, on average, to Ken'ichi Nomoto, an emeritus professor from the University of Tokyo and senior visiting scientist at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, and to Stanford Woosley, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The prize honors their contributions to research on stellar explosions and the origins of elements.
The Mathematical Sciences Prize was jointly awarded, on average, to Emmanuel Candès, the Barbara and Lawrence Barnum—Simons Chair in Mathematics and Statistics at Stanford University, and to Camillo De Lellis, professor holding the von Neumann Chair at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. The award recognizes their breakthrough contributions using deep mathematical analysis techniques to solve important applied problems. The citation highlights that Candès rigorously addressed key issues in information theory, signal processing, and statistics, while De Lellis advanced research on singularities in geometric measure theory and fluid dynamics.
The Shaw Prize includes four categories: the Astronomy Prize, Life Sciences and Medicine Prize, and Mathematical Sciences Prize, each awarded since 2004, and a Computer Science Prize, which will be awarded for the first time in 2027. Awards are presented once each year, with each prize worth US$1.2 million. This year marks the 23rd edition of the Shaw Prize, and the awards ceremony date will be announced later.
Eastward shift of scientific gravity?
DotDotNews reporter on site asked Professor Luozhi Quan, a Shaw Prize council member:
"Over the past two decades, we've seen the rise of major science prizes in Asia, including the Shaw Prize, and also significant investment in science from China and other regional powers. Is the center of gravity in global scientific research shifting eastward, and does the Shaw Prize see itself as a catalyst for that shift?"
He responded that the Shaw Prize continues to search globally for talent, and that all intellectual achievements and scientific accomplishments are shared worldwide.
Ensuring fairness and prestige
DotDotNews later interviewed Professor Kenneth Young, Chair of Shaw Prize Council and Vice Chair of the Board of Adjudicators. The reporter asked, "How does the committee ensure the prize remains unbiased and prestigious?"
He said that the judging process is backed by very professional reviewers, who are top talent in their fields and across the industry.
He added, "The Shaw Prize, I have to say, is more focused on the fundamental side. Whereas when you talk about innovation and technology, it tends to be more on the applied side. They are all positive and they are all needed. It's not saying which is more important—just like you know, if I ask you to have the when you have dinner, whether you should have meat or vegetables, of course you need both."
Host shares leukemia recovery story
The host on site was Hong Kong entertainer Astrid Chan Tsz-ching. During an interview with DotDotNews, she shared her personal experience about leukemia, and this year's Life Sciences and Medicine award brought her hope.
She said, "Especially when the four of us professors were introducing our Life Sciences and Medicine Award, it can help leukemia patients—This immediately touched my heart. Because actually when I was four years old, I had leukemia. The doctor told my mother then, 'You need to be prepared, your daughter could pass away at any moment.' So I have always told myself, I need to eat very healthily, I need to eat natural foods."
"Before I host today's ceremony, I didn't know what exactly this year's Shaw Prize awards are aimed at. When I heard it, I was very touched. We truly need to thank these excellent scientists. Everything can start from the very foundation—especially combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine together to help more people."
"Therefore I am very grateful, very grateful."
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