Jane Cooke Wright (also known as "Jane Jones") (November 20, 1919 – February 19, 2013) was a pioneering

cancer researcher Cancer research is research into cancer to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. Cancer research ranges from epidemiology, molecular bioscience to the performance of clinical trials to evaluate and ...

and surgeon noted for her contributions to

chemotherapy Chemotherapy (often abbreviated to chemo and sometimes CTX or CTx) is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agents or alkylating agents) as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherap ...

. In particular, Wright is credited with developing the technique of using human

tissue culture Tissue culture is the growth of tissues or cells in an artificial medium separate from the parent organism. This technique is also called micropropagation. This is typically facilitated via use of a liquid, semi-solid, or solid growth medium, su ...

rather than laboratory mice to test the effects of potential drugs on cancer cells. She also pioneered the use of the drug

methotrexate Methotrexate (MTX), formerly known as amethopterin, is a chemotherapy agent and immune-system suppressant. It is used to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases, and ectopic pregnancies. Types of cancers it is used for include breast cancer, leuke ...

to treat

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a re ...

and

skin cancer Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types of skin cancers: basal-cell skin cancer (BCC) ...

( mycosis fungoids).

Early life and education

Wright was born in Manhattan to Corinne Cooke, a public school teacher, and

Louis T. Wright Louis Tompkins Wright, MD, FACS (July 23, 1891 – October 8, 1952) was an American surgeon and civil rights activist. In his position at Harlem Hospital he was the first African-American on the surgical staff of a non-segregated hospital in New ...

, a graduate of

Meharry Medical College Meharry Medical College is a private historically black medical school affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, it was the first me ...

and one of the first African American graduates from

Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the graduate medical school of Harvard University and is located in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1782, HMS is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States and is consi ...

.Bruce Weber
"Jane Wright, Oncology Pioneer, Dies at 93"
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' (obituary), March 2, 2013. Her father, Louis Tompkins Wright, was from a medical family. He was the child of Dr. Ceah Ketcham Wright, a physician graduated from Bencake Medical College, and stepson of William Fletcher Penn, the first African-American graduate of Yale Medical College."Jane Cooke Wright"
''Encyclopedia of World Biography'' (2008) Wright's uncle, Harold Dadford West, was also a physician, ultimately president of

.Wini Warren, "Jane Cooke Wright", ''Black Women Scientists in the United States'' (Indiana University Press, 2000), p.40. In becoming physicians, Jane Wright and her sister Barbara Wright Pierce both followed in their father's and grandfathers' footsteps, overcoming both gender and racial bias to succeed in a largely white male profession. Wright's family had a strong history of academic achievement in medicine. The first medical member of the Wright family was Dr. Ceah Ketcham Wright. Ceah was first born into slavery, and after the Civil War, Ceah earned his medical degree at Meharry Medical College. Jane's stepfather, Dr. William Fletcher Penn was the first African American to graduate from Yale Medical College. Lastly, Jane's father, Dr. Louis T. Wright, from whom she took her greatest inspiration, was among the first black students to earn an M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and the first African American doctor at a public hospital in New York City. During his 30 years working at the Harlem Hospital, he founded and directed the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Foundation. Jane attended Smith College, originally wanting to pursue a degree in art, however, her father suggested to change her studies to pre-medical studies. After her studies at Smith College, Jane earned a full scholarship to study medicine at New York Medical College. She graduated as a part of an accelerated three-year program at the top of her class in 1945 with the honors award. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Wright earned an internship at Bellevue Hospital during 1945 and 1946. In 1947, she married David D. Jones, Jr, an attorney, and she completed her surgical residency at Harlem Hospital in 1948, where her father was. As a child, Wright attended the

Ethical Culture Fieldston School Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS), also referred to as Fieldston, is a private independent school in New York City. The school is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League. The school serves approximately 1,700 students with 480 facult ...

, then the "Ethical Culture" school and the "Fieldston School", from which she graduated in 1938. During her time at the Fieldston School, Wright was very involved. She served as the school's yearbook art editor and was named the captain of the swim team. Her favorite subjects to study were math and science. After attending the Fieldston School, Wright received a scholarship to Smith College, where she furthered her studies and continued to be very involved. Here, she swam on the varsity swim team and found a passion for the German language, where she lived in the school's German house for a while. She graduated with an art degree from

Smith College Smith College is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts Women's colleges in the United States, women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was chartered in 1871 by Sophia Smith (Smith College ...

in 1942. Once her time here was finished, she received yet another a scholarship to the

New York Medical College New York Medical College (NYMC or New York Med) is a private medical school in Valhalla, New York. Founded in 1860, it is a member of the Touro College and University System. NYMC offers advanced degrees through its three schools: the School o ...

, where she was required to graduate in only three years due to World War II. She received her medical degree with honors in 1945. She then immediately accepted an internship at Bellevue Hospital.

Professional career

After medical school, she did residencies at

Bellevue Hospital Bellevue Hospital (officially NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and formerly known as Bellevue Hospital Center) is a hospital in New York City and the oldest public hospital in the United States. One of the largest hospitals in the United States b ...

(1945–46) and

Harlem Hospital Harlem Hospital Center, branded as NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, is a 272-bed, public teaching hospital affiliated with Columbia University. It is located at 506 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City and was founded in 1887. The hosp ...

(1947–48), completing her tenure at Harlem Hospital as chief resident."Dr. Jane Cooke Wright"
''Changing the Face of Medicine'', National Library of Medicine (last visited March 3, 2013). In 1949 she joined her father in research at the Harlem Hospital Cancer Research Center, which he had founded, succeeding him as director when he died in 1952. In 1955 she accepted a research appointment at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, the ...

Bellevue Medical Center, as Associate Professor of Surgical Research and Director of Cancer Research. In 1949, Dr. Wright joined her father at the Cancer Research Foundation at Harlem Hospital. During her time at the research institute, she and her father sparked an interest in chemotherapeutic agents. They were interested in making chemotherapy more accessible for everyone. In the 1940s chemotherapy was a new development, so it was not a well-known or well-practiced source for treatment because it was still in its experimental stage of drug development. Chemotherapy was considered the “last resort” and the drugs available and dosage was not very well defined. Both Jane and her father wanted to make chemotherapy a more accessible method of cancer treatment. They were the first groups to report the use of nitrogen mustard agents and folic acid antagonists as cancer treatments. The Folic acid antagonist can block folic acid in the body, which is required for cells to produce certain types of amino acids. By inhibiting the folic acids, cells are unable to make new strands of DNA/RNA or produce proteins to drive mitosis. Because cancer cells are highly proliferative compared to the other class in the human body, it is crucial to stop mitosis from happening. The folic acid antagonists that were tested were probably the most important discovery because the antifolates are highly potent against a vast array of solid tumors, including several types of leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lymphosarcoma, melanoma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Methotrexate is still one of the main chemotherapy drugs used today to treat many types of cancer, and it has been a basis for all modern chemotherapy. Wright's research work involved studying the effects of various drugs on tumors. In 1951 with the help of her team she was the first to identify

, one of the foundational chemotherapy drugs, as an effective tool against cancerous tumors. Wright's early work brought chemotherapy out of the realm of an untested, experimental hypothetical treatment, into the realm of tested, proven effective cancer therapeutics—thus literally saving millions of lives. Her work with this form of chemotherapy proved to be the stepping stone for combination therapy as well as the individual adjustments due to patient toxicity. In their initial research they took each patient’s tumor which was then evaluated and then grown again in tissue culture. These tumors were then treated with the same drug that was used in the treatment of the patient before the tumor was extracted. The clinical criteria needed for the evaluation of the chemotherapeutic agents to work is seen in Figure 1. Fig 1

In the end they determined that there was indeed a correlation between the chemotherapeutic agent given to the patient and those grown in tissue cultures. From this she was able to develop the drug methotrexate in order to fight those tumors. Wright and her father introduced nitrogen mustard agents, similar to the mustard gas compounds used in World War I, that were successful in treating the cancerous cells of leukemia patients. Wright later pioneered combinatorial work in chemotherapeutics, focusing not simply on administering multiple drugs, but sequential and dosage variations to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and minimize side effects. She was successful in identifying treatments for both

breast The breast is one of two prominences located on the upper ventral region of a primate's torso. Both females and males develop breasts from the same embryological tissues. In females, it serves as the mammary gland, which produces and secret ...

and

, developing a chemotherapy protocol that increased skin cancer patient lifespans up to ten years. She also developed a non-surgical method, using a catheter system, to deliver potent drugs to tumors located deep within the body such as the liver and spleen. She published more than 100 papers on cancer chemotherapeutics during her career and served on the editorial board of the Journal of the

National Medical Association The National Medical Association (NMA) is the largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States. The NMA is a 501(c)(3) national professional and scientific organization repr ...

. During her career, Cooke also collaborated with cell biologist and physiologist

Jewel Plummer Cobb Jewel Plummer Cobb (January 17, 1924 – January 1, 2017) was an American biologist, cancer researcher, professor, dean, and academic administrator. She contributed to the field of cancer research by studying the cure for melanoma. Cobb was an adv ...

, another noted African American woman scientist. In addition to research and clinical work, Wright was professionally active. In 1964, she was the only woman among seven physicians who helped to found the

American Society of Clinical Oncology The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a professional organization representing physicians of all oncology sub-specialties who care for people with cancer. Founded in 1964 by Fred Ansfield, Harry Bisel, Herman Freckman, Arnoldus G ...

, and in 1971, she was the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society. Wright was appointed associate dean and head of the Cancer Chemotherapy Department at

in 1967, apparently the highest-ranked African American physician at a prominent medical college at the time, and certainly the highest-ranked African American woman physician. She was appointed to the

National Cancer Advisory Board National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...

(also known as the National Cancer Advisory Council) by US President Lyndon Johnson, serving from 1966 to 1970."Jane C. Wright Papers, 1920–2006"
Smith College, Sophia Smith Collection (last visited March 3, 2013). and the President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer, and Stroke (1964–65). Wright was also internationally active, leading delegations of oncologists to China and the Soviet Union, and countries in Africa and Eastern Europe. She worked in Ghana in 1957 and in Kenya in 1961, treating cancer patients. From 1973 to 1984 she served as vice president of the African Research and Medical Foundation. Wright was the recipient of many awards, including the honorary Doctor of Medical Sciences degree from the

Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania A woman is an adult female human. Prior to adulthood, a female human is referred to as a girl (a female child or adolescent). The plural ''women'' is sometimes used in certain phrases such as "women's rights" to denote female humans regardl ...

. Wright retired in 1985 and was appointed emerita professor at New York Medical College in 1987. In describing her pioneering research in chemotherapy, she told reporter Fern Eckman, "There's lots of fun in exploring the unknown. There's no greater thrill than in having an experiment turn out in such a way that you make a positive contribution."

Personal life

Wright was a very determined woman from the start. In 1980, the famous Rubik's cube came out, and she immediately bought one and learned how to solve it. She was passionate about puzzles and learning how to solve them, including puzzles found in medicine (specifically the treatment of cancer).Swain, Sandra M. “A Passion for Solving the Puzzle of Cancer: Jane Cooke Wright, M.D., 1919‐2013.” ''The Oncologist (Dayton, Ohio)'', vol. 18, no. 6, 2013, pp. 646–648., . She realized that she lived in a world where men dominated the medical field, but she did not care - she was eager to make contributions to medicine, specifically to the treatment of cancer, and did not let her gender hold her back. Additionally, she lived during a time where

black pride Black Pride in the United States is a movement which encourages black people to celebrate African-American culture and embrace their African heritage. In the United States, it was a direct response to white racism especially during the Civi ...

was a huge movement, and being an African American woman, used this movement to her full advantage.Newman, Laura. “Jane Cooke Wright.” ''BMJ (Online)'', vol. 346, no. may10 1, 2013, pp. f2902–f2902., . However, this did not mean she was boastful or self-centered. She was said to be very modest and tender with her patients, while still being very motivated and fearless. She was also known to pick up her fellow physicians' slack. In other words, if one physician did not take the time to look into other treatments that may benefit their patient more, Wright did, even if they were not her patient. On July 27, 1947, Wright married David D. Jones and the couple had two daughters: Jane Wright Jones and Alison Jones. Her husband was an attorney and became founder of anti-poverty and job training organizations for young African Americans. Unfortunately, in 1976, Mr. Jones died of heart failure. Wright's daughters also grew up to work in the medical field, one becoming a psychiatrist and the other a clinical psychologist. This further contributes to Wright being apart of a medical dynasty.Jane cooke wright. (2013). ''The Lancet, 381''(9875), 1354. . In addition to her love of the sciences, Jane was had other hobbies she enjoyed such as art and swimming. In fact, before Wright took up studying medicine, she was majoring in art. Upon receiving the Merit Award from Mademoiselle in 1952, she stated, "My plans for the future are to continue seeking a cure for cancer, to be a good mother to my children, and a good wife to my husband." Once Wright retired from her work in 1987, she spent the rest of her life partaking in things she enjoyed, such as sailing, watercoloring, and reading mysteries."Wright, Jane Cooke." ''Encyclopedia of World Biography'', 2nd ed., vol. 28, Gale, 2008, pp. 383-385. ''Gale eBooks'', link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2506300181/GVRL?u=norm94900&sid=GVRL&xid=e12c38c2. Accessed 9 Mar. 2021. Wright passed away on February 19, 2013 in Guttenberg, New Jersey at 93 years old. Her two daughters and her sister survive her.

Selected publications

; Notable research papers * J. C. Wright, J. P. Cobb, S. L. Gumport, F. M. Golomb, and D. Safadi, "Investigation of the Relationship Between Clinical and Tissue Response to Chemotherapeutic Agents on Human Cancer", ''New England Journal of Medicine'' 257 (1957): 1207-1211. * J. C. Wright, J. I. Plummer, R. S. Coidan, and L. T. Wright, "The in Vivo and in Vitro Effects of Chemotherapeutic Agents on Human Neoplastic Diseases", ''The Harlem Hospital Bulletin'' 6 (1953): 58-63. ; Selected review articles * Jane C. Wright
"Cancer Chemotherapy: Past, Present, and Future -- Part I."
''Journal of the National Medical Association'', v.76, n.8, pp. 773–784 (1984).

Awards

* "Merit Award" from ''Mademoiselle'' Magazine (1952) for evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy"Young Woman of the Year", ''The Crisis'' (Jan. 1953), p.5. *

Damon Runyon Alfred Damon Runyon (October 4, 1880 – December 10, 1946) was an American newspaperman and short-story writer. He was best known for his short stories celebrating the world of Broadway in New York City that grew out of the Prohibition era. To ...

Award (1955) * Elected to membership in Sigma Xi (1962) * "Spirit of Achievement Award", from

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Albert Einstein College of Medicine is a research-intensive medical school located in the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx in New York City. Founded in 1953, Einstein operates as an independent degree-granting institution as part of t ...

(1965) * New York City's Harriet Beecher Stowe Junior High, the women's division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1965) * Links (1965) * Honorary Doctor of Medical Sciences degree by the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania (1965) * Elected to membership in sleeping with the babysitter (1966) * Hadassah Myrtle Wreath Award (1967) * Smith Medal from

(1968) * American Association for Cancer Research Award (1975) * Otelia Cromwell Award from

(1981) ; Recognitions * Named Award: "Jane C. Wright, MD, Young Investigator Award", created in 2011 by American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Conquer Cancer Foundation * Named Lecture
"Minorities in Cancer Research Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship"
from the

American Association for Cancer Research The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's oldest and largest professional association related to cancer research. Based in Philadelphia, the AACR focuses on all aspects of cancer research, including basic, clinical, and t ...

, "given to an outstanding scientist who has made meritorious contributions to the field of cancer research and who has, through leadership or by example, furthered the advancement of minority investigators in cancer research." * Mentioned in a 2014 episode of ''

Rizzoli and Isles ''Rizzoli & Isles'' is an American crime drama television series starring Angie Harmon as Jane Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as Maura Isles. Based on the series of ''Rizzoli & Isles'' novels by Tess Gerritsen, the plot follows Boston Homicide poli ...

''.

Early life and education

Professional career

Personal life

Selected publications

Awards

References

Further reading