Emil J Freireich, a trailblazing oncologist who developed groundbreaking therapies for childhood leukemia, and one of the 60 original members of ASCO, died Feb. 1.
“For more than 60 years, he pushed boundaries and devoted himself to saving young lives and relieving suffering. Dr. Freireich’s compassion and empathy, with a focus on the holistic needs of individual patients, was fused with scientific creativity and perseverance. This rare blend of exceptional qualities has created a lasting legacy that will forever be part of the history of cancer research and that of MD Anderson,” said Peter WT Pisters, president of MD Anderson.
The Cancer History Project has created the Emil J Freireich Archive to collect materials documenting his contributions to oncology. Contributors are invited to submit photos, primary sources, articles, podcasts, videos, and more.
- The Emil J Freireich Archive
By Cancer History Project | Oct. 7, 2021
Quote of the week
It is a great human weakness to generalize from exceptions. As scientists, we know that the best solution to a specific problem is a specific solution.
Emil J Freireich (The Cancer Letter, May 14, 1976)
Selected contributions from the Emil J Freireich Archive:
- Video: MD Anderson to pay tribute to legendary Emil J Freireich, M.D., in virtual celebration on Sept. 23
By MD Anderson Cancer Center | Oct. 7, 2021 - Oral history: Emil J Freireich interviews
By MD Anderson Cancer Center | Oct. 7, 2021 - Obituary: Pioneer of Combination Chemotherapy Dr. Emil J Freireich
By ASCO | Feb. 5, 2021 - Obituary: J Freireich loved good science and a good fight
By Moshe Talpaz, MD | Feb. 5, 2021 - Obituary: J Freireich was one of the few oncologists to have developed a cancer cure
By Otis W. Brawley, MD | Feb. 5, 2021 - NCI’s Frei & Freireich era Lauded As Researchers Receive First NIH Distinguished Alumni Award
By The Cancer Letter | Sept. 14, 1990
When Emil “Tom” Frei and Emil “Jay” Freireich came to work at NCI in 1955, the time was right for a major breakthrough in treatment research on cancer, a disease previously thought to be incurable. When they left NCI 10 years later, they had demonstrated that at least one form of cancer, childhood leukemia, indeed could be cured. In the intervening years, their work set the standard by which all other clinical research, even today, is measured.
- Historical vs. Current Controls: Comparability, Ethical Issues Argued By Moertel, Freireich
By The Cancer Letter | April 20, 1979
Ethical issues involved in the conduct of clinical trials have been a source of concern and sometimes frustration for cancer treatment investigators, particularly when it comes to deciding between randomization and historical controls.
As was expected, the confrontation between the two most outspoken investigators on opposite sides of that issue provided plenty of grist for that argument recently at the Second International Conference on the Adjuvant Therapy of Cancer in Tucson.
Charles Moertel, director of the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center, believes that not only is randomization ethical in most cases but it is also the only way that reliable comparisons can be made in many phase 3 and 4 studies
Emil (Jay) Freireich, chief of Developmental Therapeutics at M.D . Anderson Hospital, believes that randomization “borders on the unethical,” and that historical controls can be at least as reliable as randomization, if not more so.
- Freireich Blasts Prevention Advocates, Defends Treatment
By The Cancer Letter | Sept. 15, 1978
“We aren’t making any progress in prevention that I know of. We are in treatment. We’re winning there.”
Emil (Jay) Freireich, head of the Dept. of Developmental Therapeutics at M.D. Anderson, challenged the popular concept that prevention is the key to substantially reducing the number of cancer deaths. Freireich chaired the session on future developments at the National Conference on Care of the Child with Cancer in Boston this week. His attack on advocates of stepped up prevention research was made at a press conference prior to the session.
- Freireich’s Seven Laws To Protect Against Obstacles To Clinical Research
By The Cancer Letter | May 14, 1976
Seven obstacles that “threaten to choke off the significant clinical research which is essential to our ultimate goal of the control of cancer” were described by Emil Freireich in the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Lectureship at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“I think the time has come to change directions to swing the boat 90 degrees back toward the type of clinical research that is more observational, and I propose that such a change will keep us relentless on target to our goal of cancer control,” Freireich said.
Recent contributions
- Still CLIMBing: Dr. Nancy U. Lin Envisions a Future of Curative-Intent Approaches for Advanced Cancers
By ASCO | Oct. 7, 2021
- Podcast: Undaunted Dreams: Podcast Interview with Brenda Brody and Stacey White
By ASCO | Oct. 7, 2021 - ASCO and Conquer Cancer Collaborate With Filmmakers for PBS Documentary
By ASCO | Oct. 5, 2021
This column features the latest posts to the Cancer History Project by our growing list of contributors.
The Cancer History Project is a free, web-based, collaborative resource intended to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act and designed to continue in perpetuity. The objective is to assemble a robust collection of historical documents and make them freely available.
Access to the Cancer History Project is open to the public at CancerHistoryProject.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CancerHistProj.
Is your institution a contributor to the Cancer History Project? Eligible institutions include cancer centers, advocacy groups, professional societies, pharmaceutical companies, and key organizations in oncology.
To apply to become a contributor, please contact admin@cancerhistoryproject.com.
