Milestones in Cancer Research and Discovery

 Cancer research and discovery is the process of uncovering new information about cancer and how it can be treated. This research is conducted by medical researchers, biologists, and other experts who seek to understand cancer’s causes, development, and potential treatments. 

Cancer research and discovery can involve laboratory experiments, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies. Research is conducted in various areas, including genetics, immunology, and epigenetics. Research has led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of cancer, new treatments, and early detection methods. The ultimate goal of cancer research and discovery is to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals and society.

1761 – First Description of Cancer by Giovanni Morgagni 

Giovanni Morgagni is credited as the first to give a detailed description of cancer in 1761. He described the disease as a “hard, irregular, and immoveable” mass that was resistant to medical treatments and not responsive to normal healing processes. He noted that the mass was often accompanied by an unusual enlargement of the local lymphatic glands and indicated that it had a tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Morgagni’s description of cancer was groundbreaking for its time, as it was the first to recognize the malignant nature of the disease.

1882 – Discovery of X-Rays by Wilhelm Röntgen 

In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen was experimenting with a cathode-ray tube that he had designed himself in his laboratory at the University of Würzburg. During the experiment, he noticed a faint glow emitting from a nearby chemically coated screen that was not connected to the tube. After further investigation, he discovered that the tube was emitting a type of radiation that he named X-rays, as they were a type of radiation that was unknown at the time. Röntgen was the first to realize the potential of X-rays for medical imaging. He developed the first X-ray images of his wife’s hand and published his findings in an article titled “On a New Kind of Rays” in December 1895. He was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery.

1901 – Discovery of Radioactivity by Henri Becquerel 

In 1896, French physicist Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity while researching the effects of X-rays on phosphorescence materials. Becquerel had been studying the phenomenon of phosphorescence, which is when certain materials absorb and then slowly emit light. He placed some phosphorescent material on a photographic plate and wrapped it in black paper to protect it from light. Becquerel then exposed the material to the sun, expecting to see the image of the material on the plate after it had been exposed to the sun.

However, when he developed the plate, he found a foggy image instead. Becquerel had discovered that the phosphorescent material was emitting radiation that was not visible to the eye but could be recorded by a photographic plate. This radiation was later named radioactivity. Becquerel’s discovery of radioactivity was monumental in the field of physics. It enabled the study of atomic structure, the development of nuclear energy, and radiation for medical treatments. His discovery was later recognized with the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903.

1910 – Discovery of a Cancer-Causing Virus by Peyton Rous 

In 1908, Peyton Rous, an American pathologist, discovered a virus that caused cancer in chickens. This virus, now known as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), was the first virus known to cause cancer in any organism. Rous hypothesized that a virus could cause cancer when he observed that a tumor in a chicken was caused by a virus he called a “filterable agent.” He demonstrated the infectious nature of the virus by passing it from one infected chicken to another through a filtered extract of the virus. Although his discovery was met with skepticism, it eventually changed the way scientists thought about the cause of cancer. 

In 1966, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Rous for his discovery. Rous’ work paved the way for discovering other cancer-causing viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, linked to developing certain types of cancer. Today, scientists are still studying the Rous sarcoma virus and its effects on cancer. Recent studies have suggested that the virus may play a role in the development of certain types of breast cancer and other forms of cancer.

1913 – Discovery of the Link Between Smoking and Lung Cancer by German scientists 

In the early 1930s, German scientists began researching the link between smoking and lung cancer. They conducted epidemiological studies on workers in the tobacco industry, which showed a correlation between smoking and lung cancer. In 1939, one of the first studies of this kind was published by German physician Fritz Lickint, who noted a higher risk of lung cancer among smokers than non-smokers. 

This study was later confirmed by other researchers, and in 1950, the first scientific statement linking smoking and lung cancer was published by German physician Wilhelm Hueper. The findings of these studies were the first steps towards understanding the link between smoking and lung cancer and would eventually lead to the public health warnings about smoking and lung cancer that we know today.

1922 – Discovery of Hormones by Edward A. Doisy 

Edward A. Doisy was an American biochemist who discovered the hormone progesterone in 1923. Doisy’s discovery of progesterone was a significant breakthrough in the field of endocrinology, as it allowed scientists to explore the role of hormones in the body. Doisy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1943 for his discovery. Doisy’s discovery of the hormone progesterone was the result of a series of experiments on rabbits.

Doisy first isolated the hormone from a rabbit’s ovaries and then demonstrated that it had an effect on the uterus, leading to the conclusion that it was a hormone. Doisy then synthesized progesterone and proved that it had the same effects as the hormone extracted from the rabbit’s ovaries. Doisy’s discovery of the hormone progesterone opened the door to further research in endocrinology. It led to the development of new treatments for various conditions. Doisy’s discovery also paved the way for the development of the birth control pill and the hormone replacement therapy used to treat menopausal symptoms.

1931 – Discovery of the Genetic Basis for Cancer by Hermann Muller 

In the early 1920s, German-born American geneticist Hermann Muller began to study the genetic basis for cancer. In 1926, he published a paper describing a method for exposing fruit flies to X-rays to increase the rate of mutations in their genes. Through his experiments, he found that the mutations created by X-rays could be passed on to the next generation, and some of those mutations were associated with an increased risk of cancer. This discovery was a significant breakthrough in understanding the genetic basis of cancer and contributed significantly to genetics. 

1944 – Discovery of the First Chemotherapy Agent by Min Chiu Li 

Min Chiu Li is a Chinese chemist and pharmacist credited with discovering the first chemotherapy agent. In 1942, Li discovered the anticancer compound called “Mithramycin,” derived from a type of soil bacteria. This discovery has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, as it is one of the earliest drugs that can be used to specifically target and kill cancer cells. Mithramycin has been used in clinical practice for over five decades and is still a mainstay in treating some cancers.

1953 – Discovery of the Structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick 

In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick made a breakthrough discovery in the field of biology. They discovered the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all living organisms. Watson and Crick’s model of DNA was a double helix, with two strands of DNA held together by hydrogen bonds. The discovery of DNA’s structure resulted from intense collaboration between Watson and Crick, as well as the work of other scientists such as Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, and Linus Pauling.

Watson and Crick used X-ray crystallography to look at the structure of DNA and used this data to create their model. They also studied the chemical nature of DNA and how it interacted with other molecules. The discovery of the structure of DNA was an important milestone in the history of science. The knowledge of the structure and function of DNA has allowed scientists to develop new techniques for genetic manipulation, such as genetic engineering and gene therapy. It has also helped researchers learn more about genetic diseases’ causes and develop new treatments for them.

1966 – Discovery of the First Human Oncogene by Peter Duesberg 

Peter Duesberg was a German-born American virologist most widely known for discovering the first human oncogene. Oncogenes are genes that cause cells to become cancerous. In 1983, while working at the University of California, Berkeley, Duesberg, and his colleagues discovered the src gene, the first oncogene ever identified in human cells. It was found in a strain of chicken leukemia virus, a retrovirus type. Duesberg’s discovery was a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research. It led to a better understanding of how oncogenes cause cancer. Since then, many other oncogenes have been identified and studied. Duesberg’s research has helped explain why some people are more prone to developing cancers than others. It has allowed scientists to develop new treatments and therapies to fight cancer.

1971 – Discovery of the First Gene Linked to Cancer by Robert Weinberg 

In 1982, Robert Weinberg, a molecular biologist and cancer researcher discovered the first gene linked to cancer. The gene, named Rb or retinoblastoma, is responsible for producing a protein that helps prevent cancerous tumors from forming. Mutations in the Rb gene can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian, and lung cancer. Weinberg’s discovery was a significant breakthrough in cancer research. It allowed researchers to better understand how certain types of cancer develop and how they can be treated.

1975 – Development of the First Man-Made Anticancer Drug by Sidney Farber 

Sidney Farber was a pioneering American pediatric pathologist and the first to develop the first man-made anticancer drug. In 1948, he established the first cancer chemotherapy clinic at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Farber’s work began with his investigation into the effects of folic acid on cancer cells. He found that folic acid inhibited the growth of leukemia cells in mice and could reduce the size of tumors. 

This led him to hypothesize that a similar approach could treat humans. In 1949, Farber developed the first man-made anticancer drug, called aminopterin. Aminopterin was a form of folic acid that could inhibit tumor growth. He administered the drug to a group of children with leukemia and observed a reduction in symptoms and tumor growth. In 1951, Farber and his team developed a new drug called methotrexate, which was even more effective at inhibiting tumor growth. This drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1953 and is still used today to treat many types of cancer. Farber’s work laid the foundation for developing chemotherapy, a treatment that has helped millions of people with cancer. His work has also been essential to developing new cancer drugs and treatments.

1981 – Discovery of the First Human Cancer Gene (Rb) by Harold Varmus 

In 1989, Harold Varmus and his colleagues J. Michael Bishop and J. Martin Carstens discovered the first human cancer gene, Rb (retinoblastoma). This discovery was a breakthrough in the field of cancer genetics. Rb is a tumor suppressor gene that keeps cells from growing and dividing too quickly. When this gene is mutated or absent, cancer can develop.

Dr. Varmus and his team identified a gene on chromosome 13 that was mutated in retinoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer of the eye. They proposed that the gene, which they named Rb (for retinoblastoma), was a tumor suppressor gene that generally kept cells from growing and dividing too quickly. When Rb was mutated or absent, the cells would grow unchecked, and cancer would develop. Their discovery of Rb represented a significant breakthrough in cancer genetics. It was recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1989. It led to a better understanding of how certain mutations can lead to cancer and the development of targeted treatments for cancer.

1991 – Discovery of the BRCA1 Breast Cancer Gene by Mary-Claire King

In 1990, Mary-Claire King, a molecular geneticist, discovered the BRCA1 breast cancer gene. Her discovery revolutionized the understanding of hereditary breast cancer. It led to the development of genetic tests for people with a family history of the disease. The BRCA1 gene is located on chromosome 17 and is responsible for producing a protein that helps to repair damaged DNA. When the gene is mutated, the body cannot repair damaged DNA properly, increasing the risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Before King’s discovery, there was little understanding of the genetic basis of breast cancer. 

King’s research involved studying the DNA of families with a strong history of breast cancer to identify patterns of inheritance that could be associated with the disease. Through her work, King could identify a region on chromosome 17 that was associated with the disease, which led to the identification of the BRCA1 gene. Since its discovery, King’s work has been used to develop genetic tests that can identify women at high risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer. This has allowed women to proactively manage their health and make informed decisions about their treatment and prevention strategies. King’s groundbreaking discovery has profoundly impacted the field of biomedicine and the lives of countless individuals. She was awarded the National Medal of Science in 2003 and the Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research in 2013. 

1994 – Discovery of the p53 Cancer Suppressor Gene by Stephen Friend 

In 1979, molecular biologist Stephen Friend made a breakthrough in cancer research when he discovered the gene p53, now known as the “guardian of the genome.” This gene works as a tumor suppressor, preventing the growth of tumor cells. It does this by detecting and repairing DNA damage and inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence. Before the discovery of p53, scientists had identified some genes linked to certain types of cancer. Still, it was unclear how they were involved. Friend’s discovery provided a much-needed breakthrough in understanding cancer’s genetic basis. 

Since its discovery, p53 has become one of the most studied genes in medical science. It has been linked to various cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Studies have shown that mutations in the gene are responsible for approximately 50% of all human cancers. The discovery of p53 has been incredibly significant for cancer research and treatment. It has opened up new avenues of research. It has been used to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for treating cancer.

Additionally, p53 has been identified as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. This emerging treatment form uses the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Today, p53 remains an essential subject of research. Its discovery by Stephen Friend has had a lasting impact on cancer research.

1996 – Development of the First Gene Therapy Treatment for Cancer by Steven Rosenberg 

In 1989, Steven Rosenberg and his colleagues at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were the first to use gene therapy to treat cancer in humans. Rosenberg and his team used a technique called “ex vivo gene therapy,” which involved removing a patient’s white blood cells, genetically modifying them to produce a cancer-fighting substance, and injecting the modified cells back into the patient. 

The groundbreaking therapy was used to treat a 30-year-old woman with advanced melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The patient had already undergone surgery and chemotherapy, but cancer had continued to spread. Rosenberg and his team extracted her white blood cells, then inserted a gene coding for a molecule called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This molecule is effective in killing cancer cells in laboratory studies. The modified cells were then injected back into the patient. 

The treatment was successful in slowing the spread of cancer. While the patient eventually succumbed to her disease, the therapy was successful because it showed that gene therapy could treat cancer in humans. Rosenberg and his team developed other gene therapies to treat cancer, including TNF in combination with interferon-alpha.

2001 – Development of the First Immunotherapy Treatment for Cancer by James Allison 

In the late 1980s, Allison was the first to discover that T-cells, a type of white blood cell, could be used to fight cancer. He later developed a method of activating these T-cells to attack cancerous tumors, sometimes called “checkpoint inhibitors.” This was the first time scientists had used the body’s immune system to fight cancer, and it has since become a widely used treatment. By stimulating the T-cells to attack cancerous cells, Allison’s immunotherapy treatments can also reduce the side effects associated with chemotherapy, such as hair loss and nausea. 

In addition, this form of treatment is often more successful than traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Allison’s research has been widely praised, and his discoveries have led to the development of numerous immunotherapy treatments for various types of cancer. He has since founded the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. He continues to advocate for promoting the use of immunotherapy treatments. Allison’s breakthroughs in immunotherapy have revolutionized the way cancer is treated, saving millions of lives worldwide. He is continuing to make an impact in the field of cancer research and is paving the way for more effective treatments in the future.

2006 – Development of the First Targeted Therapy for Cancer by H. Michael Shepard 

The development of the first targeted therapy for cancer was a culmination of decades of research and clinical trials. H. Michael Shepard, a professor of medicine and director of the Molecular Oncology Program at the University of North Carolina, was instrumental in developing this groundbreaking therapy. In the early 1990s, Shepard and his team began researching how to use gene therapy to target cancer cells. They developed a virus that could recognize cancerous cells and deliver a gene to those cells that would inhibit their growth and spread. This virus was then combined with chemotherapy drugs to create the first targeted therapy for cancer. 

Shepard’s team conducted numerous clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of their therapy. In 1994, the first patient to receive the therapy showed a dramatic improvement in their condition. This success paved the way for other clinical trials. The US Food and Drug Administration eventually approved the therapy in 1998. The targeted therapy developed by Shepard and his team has since revolutionized cancer treatment. It is now used to treat a variety of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, breast, prostate, and lung cancer. This therapy has revolutionized how cancer is treated and has saved countless lives.

2009 – Development of the First Personalized Cancer Treatment by Ronald Levy 

In the early 1990s, Dr. Ronald Levy, a cancer researcher and professor of medicine at Stanford University, began to explore the potential of using immune cells to treat cancer. In particular, he focused on the possibility of using a patient’s own immune cells, known as T-cells, to target and destroy cancer cells. At the time, the prevailing view in the medical community was that cancer was too complex for a single treatment to be effective. 

However, Dr. Levy was convinced that a personalized approach could be developed. He believed that if the right T-cells could be identified, they could target and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. Dr. Levy’s research led to development of the first personalized cancer therapy in 2011. This therapy, called CAR-T therapy, involves extracting a patient’s T-cells and genetically modifying them to produce chimeric antigen receptors that recognize and bind to cancer cells. These modified T-cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body, recognizing and attacking cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Since the development of this therapy, it has been used to treat various types of cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma. It has also been used to treat other conditions, such as HIV. 

Today, Dr. Levy’s research is helping to revolutionize how cancer is treated by giving patients access to personalized treatments tailored to their specific needs.

2016 – Development of the First CRISPR-Based Cancer Treatment by Carl June

American immunologist and oncologist Carl June developed the first CRISPR-based cancer treatment. In 2017, Dr. June and his team at the University of Pennsylvania successfully used CRISPR-based gene editing to treat two patients with aggressive forms of cancer. The treatment, known as CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy), involves extracting T-cells from a patient’s blood and genetically engineering them using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to recognize and attack cancer cells. 

The modified T-cells are then re-infused back into the patient, where they can attack and kill cancer cells. Dr. June’s team was the first to demonstrate the potential of CRISPR-based CAR-T therapy, and the results have been promising. The two patients treated with the therapy experienced significant reductions in their cancer, and the treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated. 

Since the initial success of Dr. June’s work, other researchers have followed suit, and many clinical trials for CRISPR-based cancer treatments are now underway. While much more research is needed before CRISPR-based treatments become widely available, Dr. June and his team’s work has opened up a new era of cancer treatment.