Chicago- Interview with Dr. Jordan, Cancer Researcher- Sound/Silent-- Dec. '61

Transcript (Download)

Jordan, just what is immunology and what does it have to do with cancer research? Immunology is the study of the natural defense mechanisms of the body.

And we are very much interested in trying to produce antibodies against indigenous cancer cells.

For example, as a child you were exposed to measles.

And with this exposure you produced antibodies to the measles virus.

The problem with cancer is much more difficult in that the tumor arises indigenously or from your own tissues.

We hope to make the tumor tissue antigenic so that the body will produce antibodies against it.

What steps are necessary to go about producing a cancer vaccine? Well, first of all, one must understand what the differences are between a normal cell and a cancer cell.

Once this difference is detected or noted, then it can be used to actually produce the vaccine.

That is, one must first be able to find an antigen or a substance in the tumor cell that is different and then utilize this difference by incorporating it into a vaccine.

Jordan, I understand you've worked with mice experimentally for seven years.

What results have you gotten in cancer research? Well, recently we have been able to actually immunize mice against their spontaneous tumors.

And we have been employing a vaccine that we've prepared to actually protect about 30 to 40 percent of the body.

We have also been able to immunize about 40 percent of the mice from their spontaneous tumors.

This is very encouraging, but I should like to emphasize that these experiments are done in animals and that we have not yet carried these experiments to the humans.

Identifier

F.2012-03-1091

Date Of Production

1961

Abstract

Black and white interview with Dr. Jordan who discusses his research in trying to find a cancer vaccine. He explains how this vaccine could be created and the successful experiments that have been conducted on mice. There are silent images of him drawing on a blackboard and conferring with colleagues.

Run Time

0:03:56

Format

16mm

Extent

142 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Print

Genre

Medical (Non-fiction)

Form

Interviews

Subject

Medicine
Science
Health
Diseases

Related Collections

SUBSERIES VII: Science, Technology & Health

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

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