V. Craig Jordan
Encyclopedia
Virgil Craig Jordan, OBE
(born Texas
, US, British/American joint national) is a scientist specializing in drugs for breast cancer treatment and prevention. Currently Scientific Director and Vice Chairman of Oncology at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University
, Jordan was the first to discover the breast cancer
prevention properties of tamoxifen
and the scientific principles for adjuvant therapy with antihormones. More recently his work has branched out into the prevention of multiple diseases in women with the discovery of the drug group, selective estrogen receptor modulator
(SERMs).
A highly regarded researcher, his paper The Effect of Raloxifene on Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women - Results from the more Randomized Trial was one of the top 20 most cited papers in breast cancer research during 2003 and 2004.
, US
, Jordan moved to England
with his family as a child. He went to school at Moseley Hall Grammar School in Cheshire
before attending the University of Leeds
where he received BSc
, PhD
and DSc
degrees in Pharmacology.
.
In September 1972 Jordan became a Visiting Scientist at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology
, Massachusetts
. While there he began researching the idea that tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)
, could block estrogen receptors in breast tumors. Estrogen receptors in breast tumors attract estrogen which is then absorbed into the cancerous cell and encourages the cell to divide, causing the cancer to grow. Until this time, the treatment for this type of breast cancer was oophorectomy
.
Jordan returned to Leeds University as a Lecturer in Pharmacology between 1974 and 1979, after which he spent one year at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
at the University of Bern, Switzerland
.
In 1980 Jordan joined the University of Wisconsin–Madison
where he started to look at the effects of tamoxifen and another SERM, raloxifene
, on bone density and coronary systems. This was needed because of the concern that long term use of SERMs could lead to osteoporosis
and heart disease
. Jordan's research showed that post-menopausal women who took these drugs did not suffer from a lowering of bone density or an increase in blood cholesterol. Raloxifene is now used in the prevention of osteoporosis. Jordan gained full Professorship at Wisconsin in 1985, the same year his alma mater
awarded him a DSc.
In 1993 Jordan became Professor of Cancer Pharmacology at Northwestern University
Medical School in Chicago, IL., and director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
of Northwestern University. He was the inaugural holder of the Diana Princess of Wales Professor of Cancer Research (1999–2004).
In January 2005, Jordan was the inaugural Alfred G. Knudson
Chair of Cancer Research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. He has recently published work showing that estrogen, given at the right time, causes the destruction of cancer cells rather than feeding their growth. Currently, Jordan is the Scientific Director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Professor of Oncology and Pharmacology, Vice Chair of the Department of Oncology, and the Vincent T. Lombardi Chair of Translational Cancer Research, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Military Service: Captain Intelligence Corps (V) (Staff Deputy Chief Scientist (Army) UK (1971–75), Attached NBC Officer Region 1 US Mobilization Designee, DEA Officers' Course and UK Police Narcotics Squad Training (1973–78), 23 Special Air Service (1975–79) (Commanding Officer Rory Walker
), RARO SAS (1979–97).
Prize for Clinical Breast Cancer Research, Switzerland
2008 David A. Karnofsky Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology
2006 American Cancer Society
Award and Lecture.
2003 Kettering Prize
2002 American Cancer Society
Medal of Honor for basic research.
2002 made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
by Queen Elizabeth II
for services to international breast cancer research.
2001 Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research.
2001 Doctor of Medicine,honoris causa from the University of Leeds
1993 Cameron Prize from the University of Edinburgh
1993 ASPET Award from the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
1993 The Gaddum Memorial Award from the British Pharmacological Society
1992 Brinker International Breast Cancer Award for Basic Science from Susan G. Komen for the Cure
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, US, British/American joint national) is a scientist specializing in drugs for breast cancer treatment and prevention. Currently Scientific Director and Vice Chairman of Oncology at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, Jordan was the first to discover the breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
prevention properties of tamoxifen
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue via its active metabolite, hydroxytamoxifen. In other tissues such as the endometrium, it behaves as an agonist, hence tamoxifen may be characterized as a mixed agonist/antagonist...
and the scientific principles for adjuvant therapy with antihormones. More recently his work has branched out into the prevention of multiple diseases in women with the discovery of the drug group, selective estrogen receptor modulator
Selective estrogen receptor modulator
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators are a class of compounds that act on the estrogen receptor. A characteristic that distinguishes these substances from pure receptor agonists and antagonists is that their action is different in various tissues, thereby granting the possibility to selectively...
(SERMs).
A highly regarded researcher, his paper The Effect of Raloxifene on Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women - Results from the more Randomized Trial was one of the top 20 most cited papers in breast cancer research during 2003 and 2004.
Early life
Born in New Braunfels, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Jordan moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with his family as a child. He went to school at Moseley Hall Grammar School in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
before attending the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
where he received BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
, PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
and DSc
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
degrees in Pharmacology.
Research career
Jordan began working on the structure-activity of anti-estrogens as part of his PhD at Leeds University. During that time he met Arthur Walpole the patent holder for the drug that became tamoxifenTamoxifen
Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor in breast tissue via its active metabolite, hydroxytamoxifen. In other tissues such as the endometrium, it behaves as an agonist, hence tamoxifen may be characterized as a mixed agonist/antagonist...
.
In September 1972 Jordan became a Visiting Scientist at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology
Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology
The Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research was a non-profit biomedical research institute based in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.-History:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. While there he began researching the idea that tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)
Selective estrogen receptor modulator
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators are a class of compounds that act on the estrogen receptor. A characteristic that distinguishes these substances from pure receptor agonists and antagonists is that their action is different in various tissues, thereby granting the possibility to selectively...
, could block estrogen receptors in breast tumors. Estrogen receptors in breast tumors attract estrogen which is then absorbed into the cancerous cell and encourages the cell to divide, causing the cancer to grow. Until this time, the treatment for this type of breast cancer was oophorectomy
Oophorectomy
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries. The surgery is also called ovariectomy, but this term has been traditionally used in basic science research describing the surgical removal of ovaries in laboratory animals...
.
Jordan returned to Leeds University as a Lecturer in Pharmacology between 1974 and 1979, after which he spent one year at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd is a global non-profit medical research institute that undertakes laboratory and clinical research into cancer, conducting and sponsoring its own early-phase clinical trials to investigate its discoveries....
at the University of Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
In 1980 Jordan joined the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
where he started to look at the effects of tamoxifen and another SERM, raloxifene
Raloxifene
Raloxifene is an oral selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogenic actions on bone and anti-estrogenic actions on the uterus and breast...
, on bone density and coronary systems. This was needed because of the concern that long term use of SERMs could lead to osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
and heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
. Jordan's research showed that post-menopausal women who took these drugs did not suffer from a lowering of bone density or an increase in blood cholesterol. Raloxifene is now used in the prevention of osteoporosis. Jordan gained full Professorship at Wisconsin in 1985, the same year his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
awarded him a DSc.
In 1993 Jordan became Professor of Cancer Pharmacology at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
Medical School in Chicago, IL., and director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
NCI-designated Cancer Center
NCI-designated Cancer Centers are a group of approximately 66 cancer research institutions in the United States supported by the National Cancer Institute....
of Northwestern University. He was the inaugural holder of the Diana Princess of Wales Professor of Cancer Research (1999–2004).
In January 2005, Jordan was the inaugural Alfred G. Knudson
Alfred G. Knudson
Alfred George Knudson, Jr. M.D., Ph.D. is a geneticist specializing in cancer genetics. Among his many contributions to the field was the formulation of the Knudson hypothesis in 1971, which explains the effects of mutation on carcinogenesis .Born in Los Angeles in 1922, Knudson received his B.S...
Chair of Cancer Research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. He has recently published work showing that estrogen, given at the right time, causes the destruction of cancer cells rather than feeding their growth. Currently, Jordan is the Scientific Director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Professor of Oncology and Pharmacology, Vice Chair of the Department of Oncology, and the Vincent T. Lombardi Chair of Translational Cancer Research, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Personal Life and National Service
Jordan is the father of two daughters, Helen Melissa Yvonne Turner and Alexandra Katherine Louise Noel.Military Service: Captain Intelligence Corps (V) (Staff Deputy Chief Scientist (Army) UK (1971–75), Attached NBC Officer Region 1 US Mobilization Designee, DEA Officers' Course and UK Police Narcotics Squad Training (1973–78), 23 Special Air Service (1975–79) (Commanding Officer Rory Walker
Roderick Walker
Brigadier Roderick 'Rory' Muir Bamford Walker OBE MC, was a British SAS Commander, best known for his heroism during the Oman Uprising and the Indonesian Confrontation...
), RARO SAS (1979–97).
Awards (Select)
2011 St. GallenSt. Gallen
St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic...
Prize for Clinical Breast Cancer Research, Switzerland
2008 David A. Karnofsky Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology
2006 American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
Award and Lecture.
2003 Kettering Prize
Kettering Prize
The Kettering Prize was given for the most outstanding recent contribution to the diagnosis or treatment of cancer.This award was named in honor of Charles F. Kettering, inventor, former General Motors Director, and pioneer of the General Motors Research Laboratories.Past winners are:*2005 Angela...
2002 American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
Medal of Honor for basic research.
2002 made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
by Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
for services to international breast cancer research.
2001 Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research.
2001 Doctor of Medicine,honoris causa from the University of Leeds
1993 Cameron Prize from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
1993 ASPET Award from the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
1993 The Gaddum Memorial Award from the British Pharmacological Society
British Pharmacological Society
The British Pharmacological Society is the professional association for pharmacologists in the UK.The society was formed when a group of pharmacologists met in Oxford, UK in 1931. The learned society aims to further education within Pharmacology and also organizes meetings of the world's most...
1992 Brinker International Breast Cancer Award for Basic Science from Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
.
Top Twenty Cited Publications (Total Citations = 22,831 as of April 26, 2011)
(1,049 citations as of April 26, 2011). (730 citations as of April 26, 2011). (685 citations as of April 26, 2011). (419 citations as of April 26, 2011). (430 citations as of April 26, 2011).- Jordan, V.C. and Murphy, C. S. Endocrine pharmacology of antiestrogens as antitumor agents. Endocrine Reviews 11:578-610, 1990. (374 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Gottardis, M. M., Robinson, S. P., Satyaswaroop, P.G., and Jordan, V.C. Contrasting actions of tamoxifen on endometrial and breast tumor growth in the athymic mouse. Cancer Research 48:812-815, 1988. (333 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Lerner, L. J. and Jordan, V.C. Development of antiestrogens and their use in breast cancer (Eighth Cain Memorial award lecture). Cancer Research 50:4177-4189, 1990. (330 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Gottardis, M. M. and Jordan, V.C. Development of tamoxifen-stimulated growth of MCF 7 tumors in athymic mice after long-term antiestrogen administration. Cancer Research 48:5183-5187, 1988. (321 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Vogel, V.G., Costantino, J.P., Wickerham, D.L., Cronin, W.M., Cecchini, R.S., Atkins, J.N., Bevers, T.B., Fehrenbacher, L., Pajon (jr), E.R., Wade, J.L. III, Robidoux, A., Margolese, R.G., James, J., Lippman, S.M., Runowicz, C.D., Ganz, P.A., Reis, S.E., McCaskill-Stevens, W., Ford, L.G., Jordan, V.C., Wolmark, N. Effects of tamoxifen vs raloxifene on the risk of developing invasive breast cancer and other disease outcomes: the NSABP Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) P-2 trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 295:2727-41, 2006. (463 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Cauley, J. A., Norton, L., Lippman, M. E., Eckert, S., Krueger, K. A., Purdie, D. W., Farrerons, J., Karasik, A., Mellstrom, D., Ng, K. W., Stepan, J. J., Powles, T. J., Morrow, M., Costa, A., Silfen, S. L., Walls, E. L., Schmitt, H., Muchmore, D. B., and Jordan, V. C. Continued breast cancer risk reduction in postmenopausal women treated with raloxifene: 4-year results from the MORE trial. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 65: 125-134, 2001. (317 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Love, R. R., Wiebe, D. A., Newcomb, P.A., Cameron, L., Leventhal, H., Jordan, V.C., Feyzi, J., and DeMets, D. L. Effects of tamoxifen on cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. Annals of Internal Medicine 115:860-864, 1991. (289 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Gottardis, M. M., and Jordan, V.C. The antitumor actions of keoxifene (raloxifene) and tamoxifen in the N nitrosomethylurea-induced rat mammary carcinoma model. Cancer Research 47:4020-4024, 1987. (254 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Love, R. R., Newcomb, P.A., Wiebe, D. A., Surawicz, T.S., Jordan, V.C., Carbone, P.P. and DeMets, D.L. Effects of tamoxifen therapy on lipid and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal patients with node-negative breast cancer. Journal of National Cancer Institute 82:1327 1331, 1990. (246 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Jordan, V.C., Phelps, E., and Lindgren J.U. Effects of antiestrogens on bone in castrated and intact female rats. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 10:31-35, 1987. (221 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Jiang, S.Y. and Jordan, V.C. Growth regulation of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells transfected with cDNA's for estrogen receptor. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 84:580-591, 1992. (213 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Gottardis, M. M., Jiang, S.Y., Jeng, M.H., and Jordan, V.C. Inhibition of tamoxifen-stimulated growth of an MCF 7 tumor variant in athymic mice by novel steroidal antiestrogens. Cancer Research 49:4090 4093, 1989. (197 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Trump, D. L., Smith, D.C., Ellis, P.G., Rogers, M.P., Schold, S .C., Winer, E. P., Ponella, T.J., Jordan, V.C., and Fine, R.L. High dose oral tamoxifen, a potential multidrug resistance reversal agent: Phase I trial in combination with vinblastine. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 84:1811-1816, 1992. (176 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Jordan, V.C. A current view of tamoxifen for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer (Gaddum Memorial Lecture). British Journal of Pharmacology 110:507-517, 1993. (179 citations as of April 26, 2011).
- Jordan, V.C. and Allen, K.E. Evaluation of the antitumour activity of the nonsteroidal antioestrogen monohydroxytamoxifen in the DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinoma model. European Journal of Cancer 16:239-251, 1980. (164 citations as of April 26, 2011).
External links
- ASBMB Today, July 2003(PDF), Page 6. Retrieved August 22, 2006
- PBS Online Newshour; New Drugs, New Hope. April 18, 1998, retrieved August 22, 2006
- US Department of Health HealthFinder website; Low dose estrogen may fight breast cancer, retrieved August 22, 2006
- University of Leeds press release; Conferment of the degree of Doctor of Medicine, honoris causa, upon Virgil Craig Jordan; July 18, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2006
- Fox Chase Cancer Center press release V. Craig Jordan Joins Fox Chase Cancer Center, January 3, 2005. Retrieved August 22, 2006
- Observer Online, Northwestern University, Jordan receives OBE from Queen Elizabeth II, April 3, 2003. Retrieved August 23, 2006
- Texas A&M Health Science Center Extra, IBT Hosts Ninth Annual Kelsey Lecture, November 5, 2004. Retrieved August 23, 2006