DGIM: Obituary Professor zur Hausen

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In memory:
Professor Dr. med. Dr. hc mult. Harald zur Hausen

He showed the world that persistent research can save lives: With his groundbreaking work identifying the role of human papilloma viruses (HPV) in the development of cervical cancer, Professor Dr. med. Harald zur Hausen is a milestone in modern medicine. For this he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2008. The pioneer of cancer research and DGIM honorary member died on May 29, 2023 at the age of 87.

Zur Hausen, a native of Gelsenkirchen, dedicated his life to fighting cancer. Driven by his grandmother’s illness, who died of cervical cancer, he conducted intensive research into the relationship between HPV and this type of cancer. Despite considerable skepticism among his scientific colleagues, zur Hausen persistently pursued his hypothesis and ultimately isolated two high-risk HPV types that are now recognized as the main causes of cervical cancer. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2008 and led to the development of vaccines that protect primarily women, but also men, from various HPV-related cancers.

Professor Harald zur Hausen was known for his determination. The results of his work have saved many people from HPV-related cancer. He was very committed to ensuring that not only girls, but also boys should be vaccinated against HPV, as they can transmit the viruses and become ill, for example with penile or anal cancer. In addition, the human papilloma virus plays a causal role in a variety of other squamous cell carcinomas, for example in the ENT area. All of these tumor diseases can be prevented through vaccination, which is based on Professor zur Hausen’s research.

Born on March 11, 1936, zur Hausen studied medicine at the universities of Bonn, Hamburg and Düsseldorf. After receiving his doctorate in 1960, he conducted research at various renowned institutes before completing his habilitation in virology in 1969. From 1977 he held the chair for virology and hygiene at the University of Freiburg and in 1983 took over the management of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. During his 20 years of work, he developed the DKFZ into one of the leading scientific institutions in the field of oncology worldwide and was particularly committed to the rapid transfer of research results into patient care. After his retirement in 2003, he remained closely connected to the DKFZ and was regularly found in the laboratory well into his old age.

Zur Hausen’s outstanding achievements have been recognized with numerous national and international prizes, including the Robert Koch Prize, the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstädter Prize and finally the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2008. In the same year, the German Society for Internal Medicine made him an honorary member .

Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Neubauer Prof. Dr. med. Georg Ertl Maximilian Broglie

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