2003 INDUCTEE Charles Huggins, MD Hormones, Cancer, Genitourinary Tract

Born:

September 22, 1901

(Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Died:

January 12, 1997

Education:

BA, Acadia University (1920)
MA, Harvard University (1924)
MD, Harvard University (1924)

Awards & Honours:

1966: Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology

1966: Canada Gairdner International Award

See All Awards

Discovered effective hormonal treatment for prostate and breast cancer

A pioneer in hormone research and cancer treatment

It was while practising surgery and teaching urology at the University of Chicago in the 1930s, that Dr. Huggins discovered that malignant prostate tumours were directly dependent upon the support of male hormones for their growth and proliferation. This knowledge led to the idea that the removal of these hormones and simultaneous treatment with female hormones would cause regression of such tumours. Further research confirmed the effectiveness of this procedure. Between 1959 and 1964, Dr. Huggins and his colleagues in Chicago extended their research to mammary tumours and their relationship to body estrogen levels. Dr. Huggins was a scientist’s scientist who passed his enthusiasm and delight in discovery onward to a whole new generation of medical researchers.

Key Facts

Developed a method to isolate the prostate glands of dogs

Was one of the original eight faculty members of the University of Chicago Medical School

Won over 100 awards and honorary degrees

Became the fourth Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Prize

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

As of 2020, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, 64 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day and 75 Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Dr. Huggins’ ground-breaking work decades ago continues to offer hope to the thousands of people in Canada and around the world who must face these diseases. In expanding the way scientists understand the behaviour of cancer cells, Dr. Huggins laid the groundwork for advances in research and treatment, including the development of chemotherapy drugs which help to improve the quality of life of many cancer patients to this day.

2003

October 15, 2003
Charles Huggins posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

London, Ontario
1972
Dr. Huggins returned to his alma mater
Leadership in Organizational Development
He became Chancellor of Acadia University from 1972-1979.
1966
Dr. Charles Huggins was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology
Hormones, Cancer
He became the third Canadian, after Frederick Banting and John Macleod, to be awarded this honour.
1959
Dr. Huggins continued to explore the impacts of interrupted cell signalling
Hormones, Cells, Genetics & Genomics, Cancer
Building on his past experience with prostate cancer, he discovered that breast cancer also relied on messaging from a specific hormone, estrogen. Dr. Huggins demonstrated that the removal of ovaries and adrenal glands led to a regression in tumor development.
1951
The Ben May Laboratory for Cancer Research was founded at the University of Chicago
Cancer, Leadership in Organizational Development
Dr. Huggins served as its first director. Under his leadership, the Lab became a multidisciplinary centre for the advancement of experimental medicine and cancer research.
1941
Dr. Charles Huggins made a seminal discovery
Hormones, Cancer
In a now classic paper, Dr. Huggins demonstrated that the advance of prostate cancer could be arrested with estrogen injection. This step alone, however, was effective in only a small number of patients. In 1944, he performed the world’s first bilateral adrenalectomy. This procedure, which removed two adrenal glands, in addition to hormone therapy, proved to be an effective treatment.
1930
Dr. Huggins began investigating prostate cancer
Genitourinary Tract, Cancer, Hormones
Using dogs, the only animal that is known to develop prostate cancer, Huggins developed a method to isolate prostate glands in order to measure glandular secretions.
1927
The University of Chicago opened its new medical school
Health and Medical Education & Training
Dr. Huggins joined the faculty as an instructor of surgery.
1924
Dr. Huggins graduated from medicine at Harvard University

He then pursed further training in general surgery at the University of Michigan.