Episode 3: Microbe Hunters and Magic Bullets

In 1958, Bernie Fisher participated in the first randomized clinical trial in patients with breast cancer. The trial was a disaster, leading most surgeons to abandon the idea of using chemotherapy to cure more patients. Bernie, however, noticed something different. This put him on a path that would change the course of cancer treatment forever.

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Pictures:

Paul Ehrlich in his office (left). Paul Ehrlich and Sahachiro Hata (center). Salvarsan (right). Sources: Microbes and Infection (2004), Wikipedia, Science History Institute

Results of the first randomized trial which compared treating tuberculosis with streptomycin (S) versus bed rest (C). More patients who received streptomycin had more improvement than those who did not. B Med Journal October 30, 1948.

Lymphatic fluid collection apparatus used by Dr. Fisher. 1965. Image courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Department of Surgery

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Keep Reading:

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Links:

The true, tall tale of Paul de Kruif and his famous book.

See the moon crater named after Dr. Ehrlich here.

For more interviews with cancer researchers, check out the Cancer History Project.

Sources:

Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet. Warner Brothers Pictures. Released February 1940.

Babe Ruth - Safe at Home. Warner Pathe News. August 1948.

Medicine - Teropterin. Time. December 15, 1947

Dr. Bernard Fisher, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Grand Rounds, Great Teachers: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment: In Transit (September 8, 2004)

Dr. Bernard Fisher’s acceptance speech at the Lasker Awards Ceremony. 1985. Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Video courtesy of National Library of Medicine.

Pioneers of Surgery. NOVA. British Broadcasting Corporation. September 1988.

“Breast Cancer: Winning the Battles, Losing the War” Testimony to the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Long Term Care, Health and Aging. October 1, 1992.

For those who made it to the end…

New York Times bestselling author

Suleika Jaouad

advocates for increasing diversity in the National Marrow Donor Program (formerly Be The Match) and is currently undergoing treatment for relapsed leukemia.