Harry S.N. Greene

Last updated
Harry S.N. Greene
BornSeptember 22, 1904 [1]
DiedFebruary 14, 1969(1969-02-14) (aged 64) [1]
NationalityAmerican
OccupationProfessor of Pathology
Known forCancer research

Harry S.N. Greene, M.D. (1904-1969) was an American pathologist. He was the Anthony N. Brady Professor and chairman of the department of pathology at the Yale School of Medicine. [3] He joined the Yale faculty in 1943 and was named chair of the department in 1950. [4] He remained chairman for nearly 20 years until his death in 1969 at the age of 64. [5] He was a colorful and memorable teacher. [6]

Contents

He was internationally noted for his work in cancer research which led to breakthroughs in tissue transplantation. [4] His work on transplanting tumors led to a better understanding of tissue growth and organ transplantation, particularly compatibility issues. [7]

In the 1950s and 1960s he gained public prominence as a very vocal skeptic of then-new theory that there was a connection between smoking and lung cancer. [8] [9] In 1957 he testified to a Congressional committee investigating the health effects of smoking that the apparent association between smoking and lung cancer was purely statistical and that there was no evidence that the one caused the other. He later wrote that "The evidence from both approaches, statistical and experimental, does not appear sufficiently significant to me to warrant forsaking the pleasure of smoking." [1]

He was first married to Helen Davis Greene, with whom he had a daughter, and then to Jean Barnes Greene; with whom he had two daughters. [10]

Recognition

In 1956 he was given the Borden Award in the Medical Sciences by the Association of American Medical Colleges. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lung cancer</span> Malignant tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissue

Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged airway cells gain the ability to multiply unchecked, causing the growth of a tumor. Without treatment, tumors spread throughout the lung, damaging lung function. Eventually lung tumors metastasize, spreading to other parts of the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carcinoma</span> Malignancy that develops from epithelial cells

Carcinoma is a malignancy that develops from epithelial cells. Specifically, a carcinoma is a cancer that begins in a tissue that lines the inner or outer surfaces of the body, and that arises from cells originating in the endodermal, mesodermal or ectodermal germ layer during embryogenesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biopsy</span> Medical test involving extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination

A biopsy is a medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, an interventional radiologist, or an interventional cardiologist. The process involves the extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is then fixed, dehydrated, embedded, sectioned, stained and mounted before it is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist; it may also be analyzed chemically. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. An incisional biopsy or core biopsy samples a portion of the abnormal tissue without attempting to remove the entire lesion or tumor. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle in such a way that cells are removed without preserving the histological architecture of the tissue cells, the procedure is called a needle aspiration biopsy. Biopsies are most commonly performed for insight into possible cancerous or inflammatory conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asbestosis</span> Pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers

Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Complications may include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sirolimus</span> Pharmaceutical drug

Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin and sold under the brand name Rapamune among others, is a macrolide compound that is used to coat coronary stents, prevent organ transplant rejection, treat a rare lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and treat perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa). It has immunosuppressant functions in humans and is especially useful in preventing the rejection of kidney transplants. It is a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitor that reduces the sensitivity of T cells and B cells to interleukin-2 (IL-2), inhibiting their activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malignancy</span> Tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse

Malignancy is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse; the term is most familiar as a characterization of cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neoplasm</span> Tumor or other abnormal growth of tissue

A neoplasm is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists in growing abnormally, even if the original trigger is removed. This abnormal growth usually forms a mass, which may be called a tumour or tumor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lymphangioleiomyomatosis</span> Medical condition

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, progressive and systemic disease that typically results in cystic lung destruction. It predominantly affects women, especially during childbearing years. The term sporadic LAM is used for patients with LAM not associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), while TSC-LAM refers to LAM that is associated with TSC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonary fibrosis</span> Disease that causes scarring of the lungs

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs become scarred over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a dry cough, feeling tired, weight loss, and nail clubbing. Complications may include pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, pneumothorax, and lung cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphiregulin</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Amphiregulin, also known as AREG, is a protein synthesized as a transmembrane glycoprotein with 252 aminoacids and it is encoded by the AREG gene. in humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pleiotrophin</span> Protein in humans

Pleiotrophin (PTN) also known as heparin-binding brain mitogen (HBBM) or heparin-binding growth factor 8 (HBGF-8) or neurite growth-promoting factor 1 (NEGF1) or heparin affinity regulatory peptide (HARP) or heparin binding growth associated molecule (HB-GAM) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PTN gene. Pleiotrophin is an 18-kDa growth factor that has a high affinity for heparin. It is structurally related to midkine and retinoic acid induced heparin-binding protein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CTGF</span> Protein found in humans

CTGF, also known as CCN2 or connective tissue growth factor, is a matricellular protein of the CCN family of extracellular matrix-associated heparin-binding proteins. CTGF has important roles in many biological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, angiogenesis, skeletal development, and tissue wound repair, and is critically involved in fibrotic disease and several forms of cancers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Loeb</span> German-American physician, educator and experimental pathologist

Leo Loeb, was a German-American physician, educator, and experimental pathologist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ERBB3</span> Protein found in humans

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-3, also known as HER3, is a membrane bound protein that in humans is encoded by the ERBB3 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TSG101</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Tumor susceptibility gene 101, also known as TSG101, is a human gene that encodes for a cellular protein of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PTPN1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 1 also known as protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an enzyme that is the founding member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family. In humans it is encoded by the PTPN1 gene. PTP1B is a negative regulator of the insulin signaling pathway and is considered a promising potential therapeutic target, in particular for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has also been implicated in the development of breast cancer and has been explored as a potential therapeutic target in that avenue as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAPKAPK3</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 3 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPKAPK3 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combined small-cell lung carcinoma</span> Medical condition

Combined small cell lung carcinoma is a form of multiphasic lung cancer that is diagnosed by a pathologist when a malignant tumor, arising from transformed cells originating in lung tissue, contains a component of;small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), admixed with one components of any histological variant of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in any relative proportion.

mir-205 Micro RNA involved in the regulation of multiple genes

In molecular biology miR-205 microRNA is a short RNA molecule. MicroRNAs function to regulate the expression levels of other genes by several mechanisms. They are involved in numerous cellular processes, including development, proliferation, and apoptosis. Currently, it is believed that miRNAs elicit their effect by silencing the expression of target genes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emphysema</span> Air-filled enlargement in the bodys tissues

Emphysema is any air-filled enlargement in the body's tissues. Most commonly emphysema refers to the permanent enlargement of air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs, and is also known as pulmonary emphysema.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Harry S. N. Greene". Today in Science. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  2. "Dr. Harry S. N. Greene Dies; Professor at Yale". The Courant. February 15, 1969. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  3. Waters LL (1971). "Harry S. N. Greene, M.D". Yale J Biol Med. 43 (4–5): 207–9. PMC   2592965 . PMID   4931247.
  4. 1 2 News Items, page 254
  5. "Hartford Courant, February 15, 1969". Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  6. Skinner DB (1971). "The compleat challenger--Dr. Harry S. N. Greene". Yale J Biol Med. 43 (4–5): 204–6. PMC   2592950 . PMID   4931246.
  7. Greene, H.S.N., Compatibility and Noncompatibility in Tissue Transplantation, page 177, in Biological Specificity and Growth, edited by E.G. Butler, Princeton University Press, 1955
  8. "Tobaccodocuments.org, hosted at Mayo Clinic". Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  9. Greene, H.S.M., Introduction to Science Looks at Smoking by Eric Northrup, cited at deuceofclubs.com
  10. "Yale Pathologist Succumbs at 60". The Day. Associated Press. February 15, 1969. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  11. New York Times, November 13, 1956