Shimon Slavin

Slavin graduated from the School of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and was awarded his medical degree in 1967. He served as a doctor in the Frogman Unit of the Israeli Navy until 1970. From 1970 to 1975, he trained at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

From 1975 to 1978, Slavin trained in clinical immunology/rheumatology at the Division of Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine. In 1978, he trained in clinical bone marrow transplantation under the late E.D. Thomas at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.{{Cite web | url=https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-cell-therapy-tricks-immune-system-into-fighting-cancer/| title=Israeli cell therapy tricks immune system into fighting cancer| date= 2004-08-08| accessdate=2023-05-17}}

Upon returning to Jerusalem, he opened the first Bone Marrow Transplantation Center at Hadassah University Hospital, which was later recognized as Israel's National Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy Center.{{Cite web | url=https://www.jpost.com/Jerusalem-Report/Opening-a-door-to-regenerative-medicine-459639| title=Opening a door to regenerative medicine| newspaper= The Jerusalem Post | accessdate=2023-05-17}}

In early 1987, Slavin introduced the concept of cancer immunotherapy using donor lymphocytes infusion (DLI) for the treatment and prevention of recurrent disease.{{cite journal | vauthors = Slavin S, Naparstek E, Nagler A, Ackerstein A, Kapelushnik J, Or R | title = Allogeneic cell therapy for relapsed leukemia after bone marrow transplantation with donor peripheral blood lymphocytes. | journal = Experimental Hematology | volume = 23 | issue = 14 | pages = 1553–62| date = Dec 1995 | pmid = 8542946 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Naparstek E, Or R, Nagler A, Cividalli G, Engelhard D, Aker M, Gimon Z, Manny N, Sacks T, Tochner Z, Weiss L, Samuel S, Brautbar C, Hale G, Waldmann H, Steinberg SM, SLAVIN S| title = T‐cell‐depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute leukaemia using Campath‐1 antibodies and post‐transplant administration of donor's peripheral blood lymphocytes for prevention of relapse | journal = British Journal of Haematology | volume = 89 | issue = 3 | pages = 506–515| date = March 1995 | pmid = 7734348| doi = 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1995.tb08356.x| s2cid = 23981575 }} He also pioneered the use of adaptive allogeneic cell-mediated immunotherapy and cytokine-activated lymphocytes for both treating and preventing relapse following allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.{{cite journal | vauthors = Slavin S, Naparstek E, Nagler A, Ackerstein A, Samuel S, Kapelushnik J, Brautbar C, Or R | title = Allogeneic cell therapy with donor peripheral blood cells and recombinant human interleukin-2 to treat leukemia relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation | journal = Blood | volume = 87 | issue = 6 | pages = 2195–2204| date = Mar 1996 | pmid = 8630379 | doi = 10.1182/blood.V87.6.2195.bloodjournal8762195| doi-access = free }}

These observations confirmed the therapeutic benefits of cell therapy and led to the development of new concepts for treating hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.{{cite journal |vauthors=Slavin S |date=August 2001 |title=Immunotherapy of cancer with alloreactive lymphocytes |journal=The Lancet Oncology |volume=2 |issue=8 |pages=491–498 |doi=10.1016/S1470-2045(01)00455-7 |pmid=11905725}} The focus was on utilizing well-tolerated non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation as a platform for cancer cell therapy, targeting killer cells against chemotherapy-resistant malignant cells. Using procedures developed by Slavin and his team, cancer treatment is based on a brighter approach rather than aggressive treatment with conventional chemotherapy. This approach is associated with reduced immediate and late procedure-related toxicity and mortality,{{cite journal |vauthors=Slavin S |date=Jul 2004 |title=Smarter rather than stronger treatment of hematological malignancies and non-malignant indications for stem-cell transplantation |journal=The Lancet |volume=2 |issue=8 |pages=122–4 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(04)16652-X |pmid=15246713 |s2cid=40166296}} aiming at the selective elimination of all malignant cells, including cancer stem cells.

File:Slavin moscow.jpg

File:Slavin zaza sopromadze.jpg

File:Slavin mikhail gorbachev.jpg, the last leader of the Soviet Union]]

File:Baby Salsabil.jpg

As a rule, treatment of cancer focuses on a two-step approach: tumor debulking using conventional and innovative modalities, followed by immunotherapy of minimal residual disease. Innovative reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) or non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST) was pioneered by Slavin for safer stem cell transplantation in the treatment of malignant and life-threatening non-malignant disorders that can be corrected using stem cells. Post-transplant immunotherapy is indicated for all patients in need. RIC or NST enables much safer curative stem cell transplantation for every patient, regardless of age, including those with less than optimal clinical conditions who would not be eligible for standard myeloablative stem cell transplantation.Slavin S, Napier A, Naparstek E, Kapelushnik J et al., [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297381078_Non_myeloablative_conditioning_in_preparation_for_allogeneic_stem_cell_transplantation_the_future_treatment_of_choice_of_hematologic_malignancies_and_genetic_diseases Nonmyeloablative conditioning in preparation for allogeneic stem cell transplantation: the future treatment of choice of hematologic malignancies and genetic diseases], ResearchGate{{cite journal | vauthors = Slavin S, Nagler A, Naparstek E, Kapelushnik Y, Aker M, Cividalli G, Varadi G, Kirschbaum M, Ackerstein A, Samuel S, Amar A, Brautbar C, Ben-Tal O, Eldor A, Or R | title = Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation and cell therapy as an alternative to conventional bone marrow transplantation with lethal cytoreduction for the treatment of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic diseases. | journal = Blood | volume = 91 | issue = 3 | pages = 756–763| date = Feb 1998 | pmid = 9446633 | doi = 10.1182/blood.V91.3.756| doi-access = free }}

Baxter International recognized the potential of cell therapy and signed an agreement that resulted in significant investment with Slavin at Hadassah Medical Center. This investment aimed to further develop new approaches based on cell therapy for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation. These approaches focused on new methods for regulation rather than non-specific suppression of the immune system. As a result, Slavin’s research center was established by Baxter International, headquartered in Chicago, USA, and also supported by the Danny Cunniff Leukemia Research Center.[http://www.hadassah-med.com/medical-care/departments/bone-marrow-transplantation-and-cancer-immunotherapy/research-laboratories/clinical-trials-and-research Danny Cunniff Leukemia Research Laboratory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424104657/http://www.hadassah-med.com/medical-care/departments/bone-marrow-transplantation-and-cancer-immunotherapy/research-laboratories/clinical-trials-and-research|date=2019-04-24}}, Hadassah Medical Center. Slavin served as the founder and director of this research center from 1994 to 2007.

Slavin, along with his team, used a vector provided by the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan to pioneer the first successful use of gene therapy for the treatment of bubble baby born with adenosine deaminase deficiency in 2002.{{cite journal | vauthors = Siegel-Itzkovich J | title = Scientists use gene therapy to cure immune deficient child | journal = BMJ | volume = 325 | issue = 7354 | pages = 10| date = 6 July 2002 | pmc = 1123542 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.325.7354.10 }} The treated infant has remained free of disease for more than 16 years without requiring any further treatment.{{cite journal | vauthors = Aiuti A, Slavin S, Aker M, Ficara F, Deola S, Mortellaro A, Morecki S, Andolfi G, Tabucchi A, Carlucci F, Marinello E, Cattaneo F, Vai S, Servida P, Miniero R, Roncarolo MG, Bordignon C | title = Correction of ADA-SCID by stem cell gene therapy combined with nonmyeloablative conditioning. | journal = Science | volume = 296 | issue = 5577 | pages = 2410–2413| date = 28 June 2002 | pmid = 12089448 | doi = 10.1126/science.1070104| bibcode = 2002Sci...296.2410A | s2cid = 32435671 }} The same procedure was successfully used by the Milan team to treat many additional patients, all of whom were cured by gene therapy.{{cite journal | vauthors = Aiuti A, Cattaneo F, Galimberti S, Benninghoff U, Cassani B, et al. | title = Gene therapy for immunodeficiency due to adenosine deaminase deficiency. | journal = N Engl J Med | volume = 360 | issue = 5 | pages = 447–458| date = Jan 2009 | pmid = 19179314 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa0805817| doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Kohn DB, Hershfield MS, Puck JM, Aiuti A, Blincoe A, Gaspar HB, Notarangelo LD, Grunebaum E | title = Consensus approach for the management of severe combined immune deficiency caused by adenosine deaminase deficiency. | journal = J Allergy Clin Immunol | volume = 142 | issue = 3 | pages = 852–863| date = Mar 2019 | pmid = 30194989 | pmc = 6688493| doi = 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.08.024}}

More recently, Slavin introduced personalized anti-cancer immunotherapy, focusing on the use of activated donor lymphocytes targeted against cancer with monoclonal and bispecific antibodies. This approach efficiently eliminates cancer while inducing long-lasting anti-cancer immunity to prevent recurrent disease.{{cite journal |vauthors=Slavin S, Ackerstein A, Or R, Shapira MY, Gesundheit B, Askenasy N, Morecki S |date=October 2010 |title=Immunotherapy in high-risk chemotherapy-resistant patients with metastatic solid tumors and hematological malignancies using intentionally mismatched donor lymphocytes activated with rIL-2: a phase I study. |journal=Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy |volume=59 |issue=10 |pages=1511–1519 |doi=10.1007/s00262-010-0878-1 |pmc=11031035 |pmid=20563804 |s2cid=23443095}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Morecki S, Lindhofer H, Yacovlev E, Gelfand Y, Slavin S |date=Feb 2006 |title=Use of trifunctional bispecific antibodies to prevent graft versus host disease induced by allogeneic lymphocytes. |journal=Blood |volume=107 |issue=4 |pages=1564–1569 |doi=10.1182/blood-2005-07-2738 |pmid=16234351 |doi-access=free}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Morecki S, Lindhofer H, Yacovlev E, Gelfand Y, Ruf P, Slavin S |date=Aug 2008 |title=Induction of long-lasting antitumor immunity by concomitant cell therapy with allogeneic lymphocytes and trifunctional bispecific antibody |journal=Experimental Hematology |volume=36 |issue=8 |pages=997–1003 |doi=10.1016/j.exphem.2008.03.005 |pmid=18495330 |doi-access=free}} Innovative cell-mediated immunotherapy is now applied in other centers for treating otherwise resistant cancers, including patients with triple negative breast cancer.[https://www.mossreports.com/triple-negative-breast-cancer/ Triple Negative Breast Cancer: a Highly Significant Finding], MossReports

In parallel with the growing activities of Slavin's center and his international impact in cell therapy, new approaches were developed for induction of transplantation tolerance of host-vs-graft and graft-vs-host towards developing improved methods for allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation as well as transplantation of cellular and perfused organ allografts. Initially, Slavin pioneered the use of monoclonal antibodies anti-CD52 (Alemtuzumab, now approved by FDA as Lemtrada) for prevention of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), the most serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and later on for treatment of CLL{{cite journal | vauthors = Fraser G, Smith CA, Imrie K, Meyer R | title = Alemtuzumab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia | journal = Curr Oncol | volume = 14 | issue = 3 | pages = 96–109 | date = Jun 2007 | pmid = 17593982 | pmc = 1899355 | doi = 10.3747/co.2007.118}} and multiple sclerosis.[https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/FDA-Approves-Lemtrada%E2%84%A2-(alemtuzumab)-for-Relapsing FDA Approves Lemtrada™ (alemtuzumab) for Relapsing MS - UPDATE], National Multiple Sclerosis Society Later, Slavin introduced the concept of post-transplant depletion of host-vs-graft and graft-vs-host reactive lymphocytes with induction of bilateral transplantation tolerance.{{cite journal | vauthors = Prigozhina TB, Gurevitch O, Zhu J, Slavin S | title = Permanent and specific transplantation tolerance induced by a nonmyeloablative treatment to a wide variety of allogeneic tissues: I. Induction of tolerance by a short course of total lymphoid irradiation and selective elimination of the donor-specific host lymphocytes. | journal = Transplantation | volume = 63 | issue = 10 | pages = 1394–1399 | date = May 1997 | pmid = 9175799 | doi = 10.1097/00007890-199705270-00004| doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Prigozhina TB, Gurevitch O, Slavin S | title = Nonmyeloablative conditioning to induce bilateral tolerance after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in mice | journal = Experimental Hematology | volume = 27 | issue = 10 | pages = 1503–1510 | date = October 1999 | pmid = 10517491 | doi = 10.1016/S0301-472X(99)00088-0| doi-access = free }} These discoveries made it possible to extend the use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation using haploidentical donors instead of fully matched donors for safer allogeneic stem cell transplantation for every patient in need with hematological malignancies and solid tumors as well as for induction of transplantation tolerance to organ allografts.{{cite journal | vauthors = Prigozhina TB, Gurevitch O, Morecki S, Yakovlev E, Elkin G, Slavin S | title = Nonmyeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation as immunotherapy for hematologic malignancies and metastatic solid tumors in preclinical models. | journal = Experimental Hematology | volume = 30 | issue = 1 | pages = 89–96 | date = Jan 2002 | pmid = 11823042 | doi = 10.1016/S0301-472X(01)00759-7| doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Prigozhina TB, Elkin G, Khitrin S, Slavin S | title = Depletion of donor-reactive cells as a new concept for improvement of mismatched bone marrow engraftment using reduced-intensity conditioning. | journal = Experimental Hematology | volume = 32 | issue = 11 | pages = 1110–1117 | date = Nov 2004 | pmid = 15539090 | doi = 10.1016/j.exphem.2004.07.017| doi-access = free }} In parallel, Slavin introduced new approaches for treatment of life-threatening autoimmune diseases based on either autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation{{cite journal | vauthors = Slavin S | title = Depletion of donor-reactive cells as a new concept for improvement of mismatched bone marrow engraftment using reduced-intensity conditioning. | journal = Bone Marrow Transplantation | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 85–8 | date = Jul 1993 | pmid = 8104072 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Karussis D, Slavin S | title = Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis: experimental evidence to rethink the procedures. | journal = J Neurol Sci | volume = 223 | issue = 1 | pages = 59–64 | date = Aug 2004 | pmid = 15261562 | doi = 10.1016/j.jns.2004.04.021| s2cid = 23438663 }} or more recently using multi-potent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for regulation of the inflammatory anti-self reactivity in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders focusing on multiple sclerosis.{{cite journal | vauthors = Karussis D, Karageorgiou C, Vaknin-Dembinsky A, Gowda-Kurkalli B, Gomori JM, Kassis I, Bulte JW, Petrou P, Ben-Hur T, Abramsky O, Slavin S | title = Safety and immunological effects of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. | journal = Arch Neurol | volume = 67 | issue = 10 | pages = 1187–94 | date = Feb 2011 | pmid = 20937945 | pmc = 3036569 | doi = 10.1001/archneurol.2010.248}}

Based on the cumulative experience using cell therapy, in recent years, Slavin and his team also focused on using multi-potential bone marrow, adipose tissue, or placenta & cord tissue-derived MSCs for regenerative medicine, pioneering the use of MSCs for the treatment of orthopedic indications including cartilage repair and new bone formation{{cite journal | vauthors = Gurevitch O, Kurkalli BG, Prigozhina T, Kasir J, Gaft A, Slavin S | title = Reconstruction of cartilage, bone, and hematopoietic microenvironment with demineralized bone matrix and bone marrow cells. | journal = Stem Cells | volume = 21 | issue = 5 | pages = 588–97 | date = September 2003 | pmid = 12968113 | doi = 10.1634/stemcells.21-5-588| doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Kurkalli BG, Gurevitch O, Sosnik A, Cohn D, Slavin S | title = Repair of bone defect using bone marrow cells and demineralized bone matrix supplemented with polymeric materials. | journal = Curr Stem Cell Res Ther | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 49–56 | date = Mar 2010 | pmid = 19807659 | doi = 10.2174/157488810790442831| hdl = 11336/14218 | hdl-access = free }} as well as for repair of renal function{{cite journal | vauthors = Ohtake T, Kobayashi S, Slavin S, et al. | title = Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Incubated in Vasculogenic Conditioning Medium Dramatically Improve Ischemia/Reperfusion Acute Kidney Injury in Mice. | journal = Cell Transplantation | volume = 27 | issue = 3 | pages = 520–530 | date = Mar 2018 | pmid = 29737200 | pmc = 6038042 | doi = 10.1177/0963689717753186 }} in addition to continuous treatment of neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic neurological disorders.

Slavin's primary research and clinically applied discoveries were represented in over 600 published articles and more than 900 national and international scientific presentations, resulting in global impact in several disciplines mostly related to cellular therapy for treating malignant and nonmalignant disorders. Immunotherapy of cancer by donor lymphocytes made it possible to treat otherwise resistant hematological malignancies and specific metastatic solid tumors{{cite journal | vauthors = Childs R, Chernoff A, Contentin N, Bahceci E, Schrump D, Leitman S, Read EJ, Tisdale J, Dunbar C, Linehan WM, Young NS, Barrett AJ | title = Regression of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma after nonmyeloablative allogeneic peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation | journal =New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 343 | issue = 11 | pages = 750–8| date = Sep 2000 | pmid =10984562 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM200009143431101| doi-access = free }} in patients with multidrug-resistant cancer.

The unique efficacy of intentionally mismatched donor lymphocytes using killer cells activated before and following cell infusion was translated into a new paradigm for cellular therapy of cancer based on the use of the transient circulation of non-engrafting donor lymphocytes targeted against minimal residual disease as a new approach for the potential cure of cancer at an early stage of the disease.

Introducing NST and RIC made it possible to provide curative stem cell transplantation for a large number of patients in need with no lower or upper age group, including patients in poor performance status. Still, it would not be otherwise candidates for conventional myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Using NST and RIC provided a safe approach for transplantation of patient's susceptible to conventional cytoreductive conditioning including older patients,{{cite journal | vauthors = Shapira MY, Or R, Resnick IB, Bitan M, Ackerstein A, Samuel S, Elad S, Zilberman I, Miron S, Slavin S | title = A new minimally ablative stem cell transplantation procedure in high-risk patients not eligible for nonmyeloablative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation | journal = Bone Marrow Transplant | volume = 32 | issue = 6 | pages = 557–61| date = Sep 2003 | pmid = 12953126 | doi = 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704190| doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Shapira MY, Resnick IB, Bitan M, Ackerstein A, Samuel S, Elad S, Miron S, Zilberman I, Slavin S, Or R | title = Low transplant-related mortality with allogeneic stem cell transplantation in elderly patients. | journal = Bone Marrow Transplant | volume = 34 | issue = 2 | pages = 155–9| date = Jul 2004 | pmid = 15235577 | doi = 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704540| doi-access = free }} patients with Fanconi's anemia{{cite journal | vauthors = Bitan M, Or R, Shapira MY, Aker M, Resnick IB, Ackerstein A, Samuel S, Elad S, Slavin S | title = Fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning for stem cell transplantation of Fanconi anemia patients from fully matched related and unrelated donors. | journal = Biol Blood Marrow Transplant | volume = 12 | issue = 7 | pages = 712–8| date = Jul 2006 | pmid = 16785060 | doi = 10.1016/j.bbmt.2006.03.002| doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Ayas M, Saber W, Davies SM, Harris RE, Hale GA et al. | title = Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for fanconi anemia in patients with pretransplantation cytogenetic abnormalities, myelodysplastic syndrome, or acute leukemia. | journal = J Clin Oncol | volume = 31 | issue = 13 | pages = 1669–76| date = May 2013 | pmid = 23547077 | pmc = 3635221 | doi = 10.1200/JCO.2012.45.9719}} and chronic granulomatous disease.{{cite journal | vauthors = Nagler A, Ackerstein A, Kapelushnik J, Or R, Naparstek E, Slavin S | title = Donor lymphocyte infusion post-non-myeloablative allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for chronic granulomatous disease. | journal = Bone Marrow Transplant | volume = 24 | issue = 3 | pages = 339–42| date = Aug 1999 | pmid = 10455377 | doi = 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701903| doi-access = free }}

Later on, introducing the concept of post-transplant deletion of alloreactive lymphocytes by cyclophosphamide by Slavin's team{{cite journal | vauthors = Prigozhina TB, Gurevitch O, Zhu J, Slavin S | title = Permanent and specific transplantation tolerance induced by a nonmyeloablative treatment to a wide variety of allogeneic tissues: I. Induction of tolerance by a short course of total lymphoid irradiation and selective elimination of the donor-specific host lymphocytes. | journal = Transplantation | volume = 63 | issue = 10 | pages = 1394–9| date = May 1997 | pmid = 9175799 | doi = 10.1097/00007890-199705270-00004| doi-access = free }} made it possible to provide a relatively safe and non-expensive transplant procedure for patients with no matched donor available using a haploidentical family member.{{cite journal | vauthors = Granata A, Fürst S, Bramanti S et al.| title = Peripheral blood stem cell for haploidentical transplantation with post-transplant high dose cyclophosphamide: detailed analysis of 181 consecutive patients. | journal = Bone Marrow Transplant. | volume = 54| issue = 11| pages = 1730–1737| date = Mar 2019 | pmid = 30890770| doi = 10.1038/s41409-019-0500-x| doi-access = free}}

Slavin applied the same principle for successful induction of transplantation tolerance to organ allografts pioneered successfully for the first recipient of kidney allograft{{cite journal | vauthors = Tangnararatchakit K, Tirapanich W, Anurathapan U, Tapaneya-Olarn W, Pakakasama S, Jootar S, Slavin S, Hongeng S| title = Depletion of alloreactive T cells for tolerance induction in a recipient of kidney and hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. | journal = Pediatr Transplant | volume = 16 | issue = 8 | pages = E342–E347| date = May 2012 | pmid = 22553996 | doi = 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2012.01701.x| s2cid = 11281960 | doi-access = free }} alive and well >10 years out. Observations by Slavin's team indicating that re-induction of self-tolerance could be induced by lymphoablative treatment followed by autologous stem cell transplantation provided the rationale for the use of a similar approach for successful treatment of patients with life-threatening autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis{{cite journal | vauthors = Burt RK, Slavin S, Burns WH, Marmont AM| title = Induction of tolerance in autoimmune diseases by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: getting closer to a cure? | journal = Int J Hematol | volume = 1 | pages = 226–47 | date = Aug 2002 | pmid = 12430858 | doi = 10.1007/bf03165251| s2cid = 33358121 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Burt RK, Cohen B, Rose J, Petersen F et al.| title = Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis | journal = Arch Neurol | volume = 62 | issue = 6 | pages = 860–4 | date = Jun 2005 | pmid = 15956156 | doi = 10.1001/archneur.62.6.860 | doi-access = free | hdl = 1765/63790 | hdl-access = free }} and systemic lupus erythematosus.{{cite journal | vauthors = Burt RK, Han X, Gozdziak P, Yaung K et al.| title = Five year follow-up after autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for refractory, chronic, corticosteroid-dependent systemic lupus erythematosus: effect of conditioning regimen on the outcome. | journal = Bone Marrow Transplant | volume = 53 | issue = 6 | pages = 692–700 | date = Jun 2018 | pmid = 29855561 | doi = 10.1038/s41409-018-0173-x | doi-access = free }}

In 1977, Slavin discovered the first animal model of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma (BCL1), which provided an opportunity to understand better the biology of B cells{{cite journal |vauthors=Strober S, Gronowicz ES, Knapp MR, Slavin S, Vitetta ES, Warnke RA, Kotzin B, Schröder J | title = Immunobiology of a spontaneous murine B cell leukemia (BCL1). | journal = Immunol Rev | volume = 48 | pages = 169–95 | date = 1979 | pmid = 121100 | doi = 10.1111/j.1600-065X.1979.tb00303.x| s2cid = 1133666 }} and to develop new therapeutic strategies based on the preclinical animal model.{{cite journal | vauthors = Krolick KA, Uhr JW, Slavin S, Vitetta ES| title = In vivo therapy of a murine B cell tumor (BCL1) using antibody-ricin A chain immunotoxins. | journal = J Exp Med | volume = 155 | issue = 6| pages = 1797–1809 | date = Jun 1982 | pmid = 6804591 | pmc = 2186702| doi = 10.1084/jem.155.6.1797}}

Together with Dr. Herman Waldmann, Slavin was the first to introduce the use of an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody (CAMPATH-1; Alemtuzumab and currently Lemtrada) that was initially used by Slavin for prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD){{cite journal | vauthors = Waldmann H, Polliak A, Hale G, Or R et al.| title = Elimination of graft-versus-host disease by in-vitro depletion of alloreactive lymphocytes with a monoclonal rat anti-human lymphocyte antibody (CAMPATH-1). | journal = Lancet | volume = 324 | issue = 8401| pages = 483–6 | date = Sep 1984 | pmid = 6147548 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(84)92564-9| s2cid = 45854723 }} and subsequently by others for prevention{{cite journal | vauthors = Watson CJ, Bradley JA, Friend PJ, Firth J et al.| title = Alemtuzumab (CAMPATH 1H) induction therapy in cadaveric kidney transplantation--efficacy and safety at five years. | journal = Am J Transplant | volume = 5 | issue = 6| pages = 1347–53 | date = Jun 2005 | pmid = 15888040 | doi = 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00822.x| doi-access = free }} and treatment of allograft rejection{{cite journal | vauthors = Clatworthy MR, Friend PJ, Calne RY, Rebello PR, Hale G, Waldmann H, Watson CJ| title = Alemtuzumab (CAMPATH-1H) for the treatment of acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients: long-term follow-up. | journal = Transplantation | volume = 87 | issue = 7 | pages = 1092–5 | date = Apr 2009 | pmid = 19352132 | doi = 10.1097/TP.0b013e31819d3353| s2cid = 37851876 | doi-access = free }} and subsequently approved by FDA for treatment of multiple sclerosis.{{cite journal | vauthors = Barclay K, Carruthers R, Traboulsee A, Bass AD et al.| title = Best Practices for Long-Term Monitoring and Follow-Up of Alemtuzumab-Treated MS Patients in Real-World Clinical Settings | journal = Frontiers in Neurology| volume = 10 | issue = 253| pages = 253| date = Mar 2019 | pmid = 30967831 | pmc = 6439479| doi = 10.3389/fneur.2019.00253| doi-access = free }}

Slavin's initial success applying bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, together with Professor Karussis, provided the rationale for using in vitro differentiated MSCs{{cite journal | vauthors = Petrou P, Gothelf Y, Argov Z, Gotkine M et al.| title = Safety and Clinical Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secreting Neurotrophic Factor Transplantation in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Results of Phase 1/2 and 2a Clinical Trials | journal = JAMA Neurol | volume = 73 | issue = 3| pages = 337–44 | date = Mar 2016 | pmid = 26751635 | doi = 10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.4321| doi-access = free }} and possibly for future application of secretory products of MSCs, such as extracellular vesicles and exosomes.{{cite journal | vauthors = Hosseini Shamili F, Alibolandi M, Rafatpanah H et al.| title = Immunomodulatory properties of MSC-derived exosomes armed with high-affinity aptamer toward mylein as a platform for reducing multiple sclerosis clinical score | journal = J Control Release | volume = 299 | pages = 149–164| date = Apr 2019 | pmid = 30807806 | doi = 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.02.032| s2cid = 73501937 }}

Slavin authored more than 600 scientific publications.{{Cite web | url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shimon-Slavin| title=Shimon SLAVIN International Center for Cell Therapy & Cancer Immunotherapy (CTCI) | accessdate=2023-05-17}} He serves on many editorial boards and national and international advisory boards. He has received numerous international awards in recognition of his excellence in basic science and clinical medicine.

Shimon Slavin also authored four books:

• {{Cite book | title=Bone Marrow and Organ Transplantation: Achievements and Goals|publisher=Elsevier|year=1984|isbn=9780444805560}}
• {{Cite book | title=Tolerance in Bone Marrow and Organ Transplantation: Achievements and Goals|publisher=Elsevier|year=1985|isbn=9780444805577}}
• {{Cite book | title=The Radiological Accident in Soreq|publisher= International Atomic Energy Agency|year=1993|isbn=9789201016935}}
• {{Cite book | title=Non-myeloablative Stem Cell Transplantation (NST). New Frontiers in Cancer Therapy|publisher= Darwin Scientific Publishing Ltd|year=2000|isbn=9781903557006}}

Shimon Slavin was born in Tel Aviv in 1941, but lived in Jerusalem between 1946 and 2007. Slavin is married and father of three children.

{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slavin, Shimon}}

Category:1941 births

Category:Israeli immunologists

Category:Stanford University School of Medicine alumni

Category:The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Academics from Tel Aviv