“Research is its own reward,” said Dr. Giulio Tarro, a virologist and oncologist, as he accepted the Lifetime of Achievement Award from the Sbarro Health Research Organization for his highly distinguished 30- year career in cancer research. “My time in the sciences has introduced me to many, many people who understand not only that ‘you are what you know’, but the importance of creativity and imagination.”

The award was presented by Dr. Antonio Giordano, president of the SHRO, and Dr. Kamel Khalili, Chairperson of the Department of Neuroscience and Director at the Center for Neurovirology at the  Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.

“I am not only presenting this to Dr. Tarro as my former teacher,” said Dr. Giordano, “But as a truly distinguished scientist who has made many contributions to his community.”

Dr. Tarro, who taught at the First University of Naples, Italy, holds a number of patents for his discoveries in cancer research. During the early 1970’s, Dr. Tarro and his mentor, Dr. Albert Sabin, the discoverer of the polio vaccine, joined forces to first link the herpes virus to human cervical cancer, and later to head and neck cancer. Two viruses — HPV, herpes papilloma virus and HCV, human cervical virus –  have subsequently been identified as causing cancer.

In the late 70’s, Dr. Tarro identified the ‘dark disease’ which was killing children in Naples as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major cause of lower respiratory infections in young children and the elderly. In 1981, following the attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II, he suggested the proper use of interferon to cure a cytomegalovirus infection.

“Research can be long and frustrating,” Dr. Tarro acknowledged to the graduate and post grad students in attendance to honor him. “But it is more than the final object. The path is also very important.”

Dr Tarro is currently engaged in scientific research related to the separation and identification of tumor antigens present on cell membranes and their potential value in immunotherapy for cancer. He has shown that specific soluble antigens may be used in various tests for a further understanding of their role in various cancer systems. Another study has involved the identification, isolation and characterization of specific virus-induced tumor antigens, which were the “finger-prints” left behind in tumors induced in man by human herpes viruses.

In addition to his activities as an active researcher, teacher and mentor, this summer he will serve as a “people to people’ ambassador and head to South Africa for microbiology seminars on tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS. Along with international  honors, he sits on the editorial boards of a number of medical journals. He is a member of many academies and societies and the lifetime president of the T. and L. de Beaumont Bonelli  Foundation for Cancer Research.