1903-1973 · Paediatric pathologist, Pioneer of modern chemotherapy
Sidney Farber
Children's Cancer Research Foundation (later the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
Paediatric pathologist described in tributes as the founder of paediatric pathology and the father of modern chemotherapy. His 1948 study reported temporary remissions in children with acute leukemia given the folic acid antagonist aminopterin; he later introduced actinomycin D for Wilms tumour. Under his guidance the Jimmy Fund and the Children's Cancer Research Foundation, later the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, were founded.
Milestones
Sources
Miller DR. A tribute to Sidney Farber-- the father of modern chemotherapy. Br J Haematol. 2006;134(1):20-6.
Kumar Upadhyay A, Prakash A, Kumar A, Jena S, Sinha N, Sharma S. Dr. Sidney Farber (1903-1973): Founder of Pediatric Pathology and the Father of Modern Chemotherapy. Cureus. 2024;16(8):e68286.
Farber S, Diamond LK, Mercer RD, Sylvester RF Jr, Wolff JA. Temporary remissions in acute leukemia in children produced by folic acid antagonist, 4-aminopteroyl-glutamic acid (aminopterin). N Engl J Med. 1948;238(23):787-93.