Special Feature 50 years of discovery Professor Tony Hunter’s half-century legacy at Salk

After two years at Salk, Hunter returned to Cambridge but soon found his prospects there lacking. Following a challenging year of living with friends and his lab burning down, he decided to rejoin Salk as an assistant professor in 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.”

On February 21, Salk celebrated Hunter’s 50 years as a cancer biology pioneer with a symposium titled “50 Years of Rafting the River of Life.” The event featured lab alumni, colleagues, and other cancer research luminaries sharing their science, memories, and tributes.

“Tony Hunter is a towering figure in science,” says Salk President Gerald Joyce. “His discoveries have transformed cancer biology and led to therapies that have saved countless lives. His dedication, collaborative spirit, and brilliance have left an indelible mark.”

In 1979, while studying tumor viruses in his Salk lab, Hunter serendipitously discovered a molecular switch that controls cell growth and division, known as tyrosine phosphorylation. It quickly became a landmark study in cancer biology.

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 FDA-approved cancer drugs that target protein kinases. One of the most notable drugs in this class is imatinib, commonly known as Gleevec, which 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 pancreatic cancer to DNA tumor viruses to protein phosphorylation and beyond. One recent Salk study builds on several decades of research in the Hunter lab. In 1996, Hunter’s team discovered a protein called PIN1. Now, the team has uncovered how it drives bladder cancer development by increasing cholesterol production. Hunter’s team is now exploring drug combinations that can target PIN1 and reduce cholesterol to block bladder tumor growth (see cancer discoveries).

Beyond his scientific achievements, Hunter has mentored more than 100 trainees, many of whom have become scientific leaders. “I’m proud of the science we’ve accomplished, but also of the people I’ve trained and collaborated with,” he says.

Known for his long beard, witty science-themed T-shirts, and extensive collection of handwritten notebooks, Hunter has helped define Salk’s culture.

“Tony is not just a brilliant scientist but an incredibly generous and collaborative colleague,” says Salk Professor Ronald 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. He revolutionized cancer treatments, but what sets Tony apart is his willingness to share insights and tools, elevating the work of everyone around him.”

Reflecting on Hunter’s career, longtime colleague Salk Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Wahl is reminded of a famous quote by Jonas Salk—“Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors”—although Wahl recalls Salk saying “wise ancestors.”

“Either way, Tony has always been both good and wise,” Wahl says. “Despite his fame, he’s humble and accessible. You can always ask him a question, and if he doesn’t know the answer, he’ll help you find it.”

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