Lee C. Howley Sr. Prize for Arthritis Research
The Arthritis Foundation announces the 2007 winners of the Lee C. Howley Sr. Prize for Research in Arthritis. The recipients are Dr. David Wofsy of the University of California at San Francisco and Dr. Gary Koretzky of the University of Pennsylvania. The Howley Prize recognizes those researchers whose contributions during the previous five years have represented a significant advance in the understanding, treatment or prevention of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. 
Dr. Wofsy is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of San Diego Medical School. He received his postdoctoral clinical and research training at the University of San Francisco under the tutelage of Dr. William B. Seaman. He is presently the George A. Zimmerman Distinguished Professor at UCSF where he serves as Chief of the Arthritis/Immunology Section at the VA Medical Center. Dr. Wofsy is recognized for initiating the use of so called biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatic disease and for establishing a large clinical trial network for evaluating the use of these agents in humans with lupus. Biologic agents are typically monoclonal antibodies or other molecules that are produced by cells. Their therapeutic use has revolutionized the treatment of several types of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. In early work Wofsy showed that inhibition of T cells improves the outcome of autoimmune disease in animal models. His more recent studies led to the development of clinical applications of a new biological agent that inhibits T cells. One such medication known as abatacept is now in use for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Wofsy is a past president of the American College of Rheumatology.
Dr. Koretzky is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He received his postdoctoral clinical and research raining at the University of San Francisco under the tutelage of Dr. Arthur Weiss. He began his academic career at the University of Iowa where he was the Kelting Professor of Rheumatology prior to moving to the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Chief of Rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania and holds the Leonard Jarett Professorship of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Dr. Koretzky is recognized for his studies of the molecules that white blood cells use to control their function. One of these molecules is known as SLP-76. Koretzky’s studies demonstrated how signals delivered by extra-cellular molecules such as antigens can be linked to the control of protein molecules inside cells. These studies have been crucial for understanding how white blood cells are produced within the body. Moreover, they have contributed greatly to understanding how these cells malfunction when an autoimmune disease develops. Dr. Koretzky is a past president of the American Society of Clinical Investigation.
The Arthritis Foundation extends its gratitude to the Howley family on behalf of the estimated 46 million Americans who have arthritis for making the Lee C. Howley Sr. Prize for Research in Arthritis possible. The recognition that this program offers for excellence in arthritis research will ensure that the search will continue for cures to the more than 100 forms of arthritis and the rheumatic diseases. The Howley family's expression of commitment offers hope that one day the problems of arthritis will be solved.
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