Dr Sidney Farber, a world-renowned paediatric pathologist, made major contributions to his field but is known as “Father of modern chemotherapy”.

He hypothesized that folic acid antagonists would inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells after recognising that folic acid stimulated leukaemic cell growth and enhanced disease progression. He showed for the first time that induction of clinical and haematological remission in this disease was achievable. These findings promoted him as the “father” of the modern era of chemotherapy, having already been recognized as the “father” of modern pediatric pathology.

His landmark study, published in 1948, demonstrated that a number of folic acid antagonists, including 4-aminopteroyl-glutamic acid (aminopterin) produced temporary remissions in children with acute undifferentiated leukaemia. These observations lead to the development and use of other chemotherapeutic agents, either singly or, in combination for treating childhood and adult malignancies.

Under his guidance and leadership, both the ‘Jimmy Fund’, one of the first comprehensive paediatric oncology treatment centres, and the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation were founded.

In 1969, the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation expanded its programs to include patients of all ages and later became known as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, he continued to make advances in cancer research, including the discovery that the antibiotic actinomycin D and radiation therapy could produce remission in Wilms’ tumor, and that agents such as corticosteroids were effective in treating acute leukemia.

Dr. Farber’s medical innovations during that time also included the concept of  “total care,” in which a variety of services for patients with cancer and their caregivers, including clinical care, nutrition, social work, and counseling, are provided in one place.

On March 30, 1973, at the age of 70, Sidney Farber passed away from cardiac arrest while working in his office in the Jimmy Fund Building.

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Last modified: 24/04/2018