Who Invented Chemotherapy
During the 1940's, the United States department of Defense recruited Louis S. Goodman and Alfred Gilman to study the therapeutic applications of nitrogen mustard, a chemical warfare agent. It was initially found that this agent could be used in treating lymphoma. Later on, Eli Lilly found that Madagascar periwinkle blocked proliferation of tumor cells. Then in 1965, James Holland, Emil Freireich, and Emil Frei figured out that using combination chemotherapy was an even more effective cancer treatment.
- Over 100 drugs are used during chemotherapy today.
- The National Cancer Chemotherapy Service Center was founded in 1955.
- During the 1930's, Charles B. Huggins found that administering estrogen could slow cancer of the prostate.