Celebrating 50 years of discovery: Professor Tony Hunter’s half-century legacy at the Salk Institute

February 13, 2025

Celebrating 50 years of discovery: Professor Tony Hunter’s half-century legacy at the Salk Institute

Cancer biology pioneer will be honored on February 21

February 13, 2025

LA JOLLA—The Salk Institute is proud to celebrate Professor Tony Hunter’s 50 years as a cancer biology pioneer whose fundamental discoveries have inspired the development of more than 80 cancer drugs. Since joining the Institute’s faculty in February 1975, Hunter has been a cornerstone of the Salk community, contributing to transformational discoveries and mentoring more than 100 trainees, many of whom have also become scientific leaders.

To honor Hunter and his extraordinary career, Salk is holding a special symposium titled “50 Years of Rafting the River of Life” on February 21. Hunter’s lab alumni, colleagues, and other cancer research luminaries will share their science, memories, and tributes.

“Tony Hunter is a towering figure in the world of science,” says Salk President Gerald Joyce. “His discoveries have not only transformed our understanding of cancer biology but have also directly led to therapies that have saved countless lives. His dedication, collaborative spirit, and scientific brilliance have left an indelible mark on the Salk Institute and the global scientific community.”

Hunter’s connection to the Salk Institute began in 1971, when he arrived as a postdoctoral trainee from the University of Cambridge, where he had been an undergraduate and obtained his PhD. He immersed himself in Salk’s collaborative culture, forming lifelong connections with colleagues and embracing the Southern California lifestyle and hairstyle. He recalls working hard and playing hard—spending long hours in the lab but also taking time for adventurous outings with fellow postdocs, such as desert camping and river rafting, a hobby he continues to enjoy at the age of 81.

After two years as a postdoctoral researcher at Salk, Hunter returned to the University of Cambridge in his native England, where he assumed he’d find a permanent job and settle down. But, after a rocky year that included his lab burning down, living with friends, and no job prospects, he returned to Salk, where he joined the faculty as an assistant professor and started his lab in February 1975.

“When I came back to Salk, I didn’t have long-term plans or a clear vision for my career,” Hunter says. “I never imagined I’d still be here 50 years later, but I’m happy with how things worked out. The collaborative and innovative spirit of the Institute keeps me inspired.”

In 1979, while studying tumor viruses in his Salk lab, Hunter made a serendipitous discovery that quickly became a landmark in cancer biology: tyrosine phosphorylation, a molecular switch that controls cell growth and division. Hunter’s research later revealed how certain tyrosine kinases, the enzymes that drive this switch, become overactive in cancers, spurring uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Hunter’s discovery inspired the development of more than 80 cancer drugs that inhibit tyrosine kinases, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide. One of the most transformative drugs in this class is imatinib, commonly known as Gleevec. By targeting an aberrant tyrosine kinase, Gleevec has transformed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition.

Over the decades, Hunter’s research has spanned a remarkable breadth of scientific areas, from DNA tumor viruses to protein phosphorylation to pancreatic cancer and beyond. Last month, he published a new paper in Cancer Discovery that builds on several decades of research in the Hunter lab. In 1996, the team discovered a protein called PIN1, and now the team has uncovered how it drives bladder cancer formation by increasing cholesterol production. Hunter and team are now exploring drug combinations that can target PIN1 and reduce cholesterol to block bladder tumor growth.

“I’m proud of the science we’ve accomplished, but also of the people I’ve had the privilege to train and collaborate with,” Hunter says. “Seeing former trainees thrive and make their own discoveries has been incredibly rewarding.”

Beyond his scientific achievements, Hunter has played a vital role in shaping the Salk community, mentoring the next generation of researchers, and fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity. Well known for his long beard, his witty science-themed T-shirts, and the large collection of handwritten notebooks that line his office, Hunter’s unforgettable personality has helped define Salk’s culture.

“Tony Hunter is not just a brilliant scientist but an incredibly generous and collaborative colleague,” says Salk Professor Ron Evans. “When I first arrived at Salk, Tony was the first person I met. He even lent me his car until I could get my own, which speaks volumes about his character. Scientifically, his groundbreaking discoveries, particularly in tyrosine kinase research, have revolutionized cancer treatment. But what sets Tony apart is his willingness to share insights and tools, elevating the work of everyone around him. It’s an honor to call him a friend and collaborator.”

In reflecting on Hunter’s long career and friendship, Salk Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Wahl, one of Hunter’s longtime colleagues, is reminded of a famous quote by Jonas Salk, “Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.”

“While most people say it was ‘good ancestors,’ I remember Jonas as saying, ‘We must endeavor to be wise ancestors,’” Wahl says. “Either way, Tony has always been both good and wise. He’s been an outstanding example to everybody on the faculty. Here you have this very famous scientist, very prestigious, but he’s humble and always accessible. You can always ask Tony a question, and if he doesn’t know the answer, he will help you find it—often pulling up just the right paper or notebook from the stacks and stacks in his office.”

Hunter’s advice to young scientists remains as relevant as ever: “Find something you’re passionate about. Choose a problem where your success will make a real impact. Science is a long journey, but if you follow your curiosity, you’ll never be bored.”