[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING DR. DONALD PINKEL AND PROFESSOR DR. HANSJO RG RIEHM

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to pay homage to the 
remarkable contributions of Dr. Donald Pinkel and Professor Dr. 
Hansjorg Riehm to the cure of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 
or ALL, once an invariably lethal disease. On December 4, 2003, 
distinguished colleagues from 12 nations will honor these outstanding 
physicians in San Diego, CA.
  ALL is the most common cancer in children. Forty years ago, very few 
children were cured. Since that time, the cure rate has improved 
dramatically. I am informed that thanks in part to the leadership and 
vision of Dr. Pinkel and Professor Dr. Hansjorg Riehm, about 80 percent 
of ALL patients are now cured in developed nations. Dr. Pinkel's 
development of effective presymptomatic central nervous system therapy 
and Professor Dr. Hansjorg Riehm's development of effective post 
induction intensification halved the number of relapses and deaths. 
Tens of thousands of children, their families, friends and neighbors in 
many countries have benefitted. Dr. Pinkel and Professor Dr. Riehm 
stand united in their desire that effective therapy be available to 
children with ALL, both in the developed world and in the developing 
world.
  I am informed that during his years at St. Jude Children's Research 
Hospital in the 1960s, Dr. Pinkel introduced the concept of 
presymptomatic central nervous system therapy and cured one-half of 
children with ALL. Previously, many children had achieved temporary 
remission from leukemia, only to suffer return of leukemia or relapse 
in the central nervous system, subsequent bone marrow relapse, and 
death. Presymptomatic central nervous system therapy remains a 
cornerstone of ALL therapy throughout the world.
  Professor Dr. Hansjorg Riehm and his colleagues in the Berlin 
Frankfurt Munster Group introduced effective postinduction 
intensification in the late 1970s. This concept involves implementing 
stronger therapy after the patient is in remission. Previously, 
patients received brief intensive induction therapy followed by 
presymptomatic central nervous system therapy and prolonged mild 
maintenance therapy. Most patients achieved remission, but many 
suffered leukemic relapse and death. With application of effective post 
induction intensification, the number of relapses fell and the chance 
for cure increased. Professor Riehm's strategy of post induction 
intensification has been applied throughout the world with similar 
success.
  We know how tragic it is when children and their families struggle 
with life-threatening disease. The dramatic improvement in the cure 
rate of ALL gives children and those who cherish them just cause for 
greater hope. Literally tens of thousands of children in many nations 
have survived and grown up to realize their hopes and dreams due to the 
remarkable contributions of Dr. Pinkel and Professor Dr. Riehm. I am 
certain that children's lives are ample thanks, but I would like to add 
California's thanks for these physicians' lifetimes of accomplishments. 
Our Nation and world are fortunate to have benefitted from their 
work.

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