Roswell Park Cancer Institute - Historical Facts

Historical Facts

Previous names:

• State Pathological Laboratory of the University at Buffalo, 1898–1911
• State Institute for the Study of Malignant Diseases, 1911–1946
• Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI), 1946–1992

Historical Firsts:

• America’s First Cancer Center
• First example of direct government interest (New York State) in cancer research
• Developed the world’s first chemotherapy program in 1904
• Pioneered the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test
• Pioneered Photodynamic Therapy
• Pioneered 5-FU and Leucovorin for colorectal cancer – the gold standard chemotherapy for this disease
• Collaborated on the landmark studies of the Human Genome project
• Leads the nation in the number of robotic cystectomies performed