Dr. Harald zur Hausen, an esteemed German virologist who achieved global recognition and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2008 for his groundbreaking discovery linking the human papillomavirus (HPV) to cervical cancer, passed away on May 29 in Heidelberg, Germany at the age of 87. This saddening news was announced by the German Cancer Research Center, an institution Dr. zur Hausen led for two decades. He had suffered a stroke in May, which ultimately led to his demise.
Dr. zur Hausen’s groundbreaking work revolutionized the field of oncology and paved the way for the development of vaccines against HPV, a sexually transmitted disease known to cause various cancers, including cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and throat. According to the National Cancer Institute, over 600,000 people are diagnosed with HPV-related cancers worldwide every year, and vaccination against the virus has the potential to prevent up to 90% of these cases.
Dr. Margaret Stanley, an HPV researcher at the University of Cambridge, aptly described Dr. zur Hausen’s legacy as “huge.” His contributions include not only the development of life-saving vaccines but also the creation of life-saving tests for HPV detection. Colleagues fondly remember Dr. zur Hausen as a courteous, considerate, and respectful individual—a rare gem in high-profile research laboratories. Many even refer to him as a “gentleman.”
Known for his unwavering dedication to his research, Dr. zur Hausen was described as “unshakeable” once he had an idea. His hypothesis that HPV was the root cause of cervical cancer challenged conventional scientific wisdom and faced intense criticism from his peers. It took him a decade of persistent effort to finally prove his theory, going against the prevailing belief that herpes simplex virus was responsible for cervical cancer.
Dr. zur Hausen embarked on his quest after being intrigued by reports linking genital warts to cancer. He diligently searched for HPV DNA in cervical cancer cells, utilizing gene probes to target specific DNA sequences unique to the virus. The task was arduous due to the discovery of various HPV types, each with its distinct genetic sequence and not all responsible for cancer.
However, Dr. zur Hausen remained undeterred by the challenges encountered along the way. Colleague Michael Boshart, a geneticist at Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, remarked that Dr. zur Hausen never doubted the validity of his findings. Finally, in 1983, Dr. zur Hausen and his team triumphantly announced the discovery of a new HPV type prevalent in cervical cancer cells. The following year, they reported yet another type. Their research revealed that approximately 70% of cervical cancer biopsies contained either of these two viruses.
Other scientists swiftly confirmed Dr. zur Hausen’s findings, effectively silencing those who had previously ridiculed his work. Research on papillomaviruses boomed as he generously shared viral DNA clones with fellow researchers, a selfless act in a field often characterized by selfishness. This collaboration ultimately solidified scientific understanding of the viruses and facilitated the development of vaccines. The first HPV vaccine gained approval in 2006, and two years later, Dr. zur Hausen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, alongside French virologists Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier, who discovered HIV.
In addition to his scientific achievements, Dr. zur Hausen became a passionate advocate for the HPV vaccine. He ardently lobbied for the vaccination of both girls and boys, highlighting its high efficacy and the imperative of protecting future generations. Despite his retirement from the German Cancer Research Center in 2003, Dr. zur Hausen remained devoted to his research, dedicating his efforts to studying breast, colon, and various other cancers.
Harald zur Hausen was born on March 11, 1936, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Growing up in an area heavily impacted by World War II bombings, he experienced the closure of schools in 1943, which had both positive and negative consequences. Driven by a desire to make a difference in the world, he pursued a medical degree at the University of Düsseldorf, ultimately immersing himself in cancer research. Throughout his illustrious career, he held research positions at esteemed institutions such as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and various German universities.
It was during his tenure at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg that he met Ethel-Michele de Villiers, a biologist who not only became his wife but also an invaluable scientific collaborator. Dr. zur Hausen acknowledged her immense contributions to his work, praising her intellect and dedication. The couple had three sons, Jan Dirk, Axel, and Gerrit.
Dr. zur Hausen’s accomplishments earned him the position of scientific director at the German Cancer Research Center in 1983, which he held until 2003. Even in retirement, his passion for scientific advancement remained undiminished. His work in the field of virology and dedication to cancer prevention and treatment have left an indelible mark on the medical community and the lives of countless individuals. Dr. Harald zur Hausen will be remembered as a visionary and a true pioneer in the fight against cancer.
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