William Dameshek
Encyclopedia
William Dameshek was an American
hematologist
. Trained at Harvard, he was the founder of Blood
, the prime core clinical journal of hematology, in 1946. He is also credited with describing the concept of myeloproliferative disease
s in 1951. In addition, he participated in the first studies of nitrogen mustard
in various hematological malignancies
, widely considered the first uses of chemotherapy
in malignant diseases. Dr Dameshek was also the first one who described chronic lymphocytic leukemia
(CLL), a commom form of leukemia in adults.
Dr. Dameshek served as president of the American Society of Hematology
(ASH) in 1964. He made numerous contributions to ASH as well as the field of hematology and was the first eidtor of its journal Blood
. Given Dr. Dameshek's accomplishments, ASH has named the Dameshek Prize in his honor. Each year the Dameshek Prize is awarded to individual who has made an outstanding contribuiton in hematology.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hematologist
Hematology
Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases...
. Trained at Harvard, he was the founder of Blood
Blood (journal)
Blood is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Society of Hematology. Founded by William Dameshek in 1946, the journal changed from semimonthly to weekly publication at the start of 2009. The journal publishes clinical and basic scientific research in all areas of hematology.It...
, the prime core clinical journal of hematology, in 1946. He is also credited with describing the concept of myeloproliferative disease
Myeloproliferative disease
The myeloproliferative diseases are a group of diseases of the bone marrow in which excess cells are produced. They are related to, and may evolve into, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, although the myeloproliferative diseases on the whole have a much better prognosis than...
s in 1951. In addition, he participated in the first studies of nitrogen mustard
Nitrogen mustard
The nitrogen mustards are cytotoxic chemotherapy agents similar to mustard gas. Although their common use is medicinal, in principle these compounds can also be deployed as chemical warfare agents. Nitrogen mustards are nonspecific DNA alkylating agents. Nitrogen mustard gas was stockpiled by...
in various hematological malignancies
Hematological malignancy
Hematological malignancies are the types of cancer that affect blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. As the three are intimately connected through the immune system, a disease affecting one of the three will often affect the others as well: although lymphoma is technically a disease of the lymph...
, widely considered the first uses of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
in malignant diseases. Dr Dameshek was also the first one who described chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia , also known as chronic lymphoid leukemia , is the most common type of leukemia. Leukemias are cancers of the white blood cells . CLL affects B cell lymphocytes. B cells originate in the bone marrow, develop in the lymph nodes, and normally fight infection by...
(CLL), a commom form of leukemia in adults.
Dr. Dameshek served as president of the American Society of Hematology
American Society of Hematology
The American Society of Hematology is a professional organization representing hematologists. It was founded in 1958. Its annual meeting is held in December of every year and has attracted nearly 20,000 attendees. The society publishes the medical journal Blood, one of the most cited peer-review...
(ASH) in 1964. He made numerous contributions to ASH as well as the field of hematology and was the first eidtor of its journal Blood
Blood (journal)
Blood is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Society of Hematology. Founded by William Dameshek in 1946, the journal changed from semimonthly to weekly publication at the start of 2009. The journal publishes clinical and basic scientific research in all areas of hematology.It...
. Given Dr. Dameshek's accomplishments, ASH has named the Dameshek Prize in his honor. Each year the Dameshek Prize is awarded to individual who has made an outstanding contribuiton in hematology.