YCC Timeline of Accomplishments

1942	Chemotherapy (nitrogen mustard) was used for cancer care for the very first time at Yale-New Haven Hospital (then New Haven Hospital).
1953	Yale established the first pharmacology department in the United States to focus on cancer chemotherapy and cancer drug development.
1950s	Yale researchers investigated the mechanism of action of Cytarabine, which can cause a decrease in the number of blood cells in bone marrow.
1960s	Yale researchers investigated the mechanism of action of 6-Thiopurines and discovered resistance in leukemia.
1960s	The antifolate analog methotrexate was developed at Yale.
1963	Yale-New Haven Hospital (then Grace-New Haven) installed the first linear accelerator in Connecticut for cancer treatment.
1965	Yale established the first university-based department of clinical pharmacology and chemotherapy in the United States (the forerunner to medical oncology).
1974	Yale Cancer Center was designated as one of the country's inaugural comprehensive cancer centers by the National Cancer Institute.
1974	The developmental therapeutics program at Yale was formally established, forming the foundation of drug discovery at Yale Cancer Center.
1976	The National Cancer Institute established a Cancer Information Service office at Yale Cancer Center to serve as a resource for cancer information throughout the region.
1988	Yale Cancer Center oncologists performed the first bone marrow transplant in Connecticut at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
1998	Yale Cancer Center immunologist, Dr. Charles Janeway, establishes and proves his theory of innate immunity.
1998	Yale Cancer Center researchers discover the gene, Survivin, which is linked to the detection of some cancers.
1998-2004	18 Phase I clinical studies are initiated at Yale Cancer Center to test the efficacy of new cancer therapies.
2001	Researchers at Yale Cancer Center discover the E6 and E7 gene in HPV and link the cancer cell growth in the virus to the development of cervical cancer.
2002	Digital diagnostic technology is developed with the creation of AQUA (Automated Quantitative Analysis) at Yale Cancer Center to analyze microarray specimens in cancer research.
2003	Yale Cancer Center partners with the National Cancer Institute to create the first cooperative training program in cancer epidemiology in the nation.
2004-2006	15 Phase I clinical studies are initiated at Yale Cancer Center.
2006	Yale New Haven Hospital breaks ground for the new cancer hospital, scheduled to open in 2009.
2006	Yale Cancer Center is awarded a SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) grant for translational research in skin cancer from the National Cancer Institute.
2006	The Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic is established at Yale Cancer Center providing the first specialized resource for survivors of adult cancers in Connecticut.
2007	Yale Cancer Center's designation as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute is renewed for an additional five years.
2009	Dr. Thomas Lynch, Jr. appointed director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician in Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital
2009	Smilow Cancer Hospital opens for patient care.
2012	Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center open 10 Smilow Cancer Care Centers in Connecticut.
2013	Yale Cancer Center's designation as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute is renewed for an additional five years.
2015	Smilow Cancer Hospital celebrates five years since opening its doors and Yale Cancer Center celebrates 40 years of research.
2015	Yale Cancer Center is awarded a SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) grant for translational research in lung cancer from the NCI.
2015	Peter Schulam, MD, PhD, was appointed Interim Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital.
2017	Charles S. Fuchs, MD, MPH was appointed Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital.
2018	Yale Cancer Center’s designation as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute is renewed for an additional five years.
2019	Smilow Cancer Hospital celebrates 10 years since it opened its doors.
2020	The Yale Cancer Center SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) grant for translational research in lung cancer receives renewal from the NCI.
2022	Eric P. Winer, MD, was appointed Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital on February 1st.