Evening star., 1947-02-19
New Compounds Show Promise
On Cancer Specialists Reveal
Success in Destroying
Malignant Growths in.
Animals Reported

AHlfHuiS NSpOTtSu
New chemical compounds for
combating cancer have been devel-
oped recently by the National Can
Ger Institute here and already have
been applied to animal and human
sufferers from the disease.
This was revealed yesterday by
members of the National Advisory
Cancer Council, the Nations top
cancer specialists. meeting at the
Bethesda research center of the in
stitute.
The new compounds cannot be re-
garded as a panacea for the many
kinds of cancer, the experts said, but
they indicated a certain measure of
success in destroying the malignant
growths in animals had been
reached. 1t was pointed out COM
pounds are never applied to human
patients until it has first been proven
that they are not dangerous to lab
oratory animals.
Atomic By-Produets Studied.
DR. Robert S. Stone, professor of
radiology at the University of Cali
fornia Medical School, credited the
development of atomic energy with
providing cancer specialists with
many new materials for cancer
work.
The radiologist said radioactive
phosphorus and iodine are being
used directly for treatment of cancer
growths, but most of the substances
derived from the Oak Ridge atomic
pile are being employed in research.
1--WE want to go slow in the use OF
fashionable materials in cancer treat
ment," said DR.. Shields Warren, as
sistant professor of pathology at
Harvard University. Such materials
are not like handling sugar. There
are still relatively few places that
know how to work with atomic ma
terials with safety"
DR.. Stone further linked atomic
research with the never ending
hunt for cancer cure.
who knows" he said, "if we can
find key to the secret of life in
atomic research, it may show us
the way to the secret of growth and
abnormal growth, which Is cancer" J"
Research Future Bright.
The problem of cancer, which will
kill 1900 900 Americans now living
unless cure is found, is much more
complex than the problem which
faced physicists in assembling the
atomic bomb. said Dr.. A. G. Ivy of
the University of Illinois Medical
School. He added, however, that
the future is very bright in cancer
research in the light OF recent
chemical developments.
DR.. Leonard Scheele said the
Russians have sent comprehensive
information on their cancer work
to this country freely, but he de-
clared press reports on the efficacy
of their methods-by the Russians
own admission-have been too en-
thusiaStic.
Best tmethods now in use for
blocking cancer growth and killing
the disease entirely are applications
of sex hormones, nitrogen mustards,
radioactive isotopes discovered by
the Manhattan Project and polysac-
charioes, according to DR.. Charles
Higgins. professor of surgery at the
University of Chicago. He said
surgical operations still are highly
desirable for cancer treatment, but
I'VE are looking for better solutions
than surgery"
S13,000,000 Sought.
All the cancer experts agreed that
a cure eventually will be found. To
that end, the National Cancer IN
stitute seeks a 1918 budget of
more than s13,ooo,oo61 for research,
grants in aid, construction and
other projects. The appropriation
has been approved by the Budget
Bureau and recommended by Presi-
dent Truman. The institute this
year had only $1,700,000.
The specialists pointed out more
people die of cancer in the United
States each year than from any
other cause, except heart disease
and that 100000 people are con-
stantly under treatment for cancer.
The council yesterday also re-
commended financial support for
Is projected studies of cancer, &C
cording to DR.. Thomas Parran, sur
geon general of the United States
Public Health Service.
Among grants-in-aid to be issued
was one of 1892. 40 to Georgetown
University for studying transmission
of virus tumors; one to George
Washington University of $4,000 for
tumor control studies and another
of 1887 to G. w. U. for studying the
effect of vitamin E on the growth of
tumors.
Meanwhile, appointment of two
new members to serve on the six
man cancer council was announced
by DR.. Parran yesterday.
They are DR.. Waltman Walters,
Mayo Clinic surgeon, and DR.. War
lren. Both are former Navy medical
officers.
BrookIund Citizens Back