COLUMBUS, Ohio – With great sadness, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) announces the passing of Albert de la Chapelle, MD, PhD, a Distinguished University Professor in the Ohio State College of Medicine, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics. Dr. de la Chapelle died Thursday, Dec. 10, at age 87.

An internationally recognized pioneer in the field of human cancer genetics, Dr. de la Chapelle’s research focused on the mapping, cloning and characterization of genes that predispose individuals to cancer. His findings led to important discoveries about the molecular and genetic nature of cancer, setting the stage for the development of innovative treatments.

One of Dr. de la Chapelle’s most important achievements in cancer genetics was helping to identify and map four genes (mismatch repair genes) that cause Lynch syndrome (LS), an inherited disorder that makes certain families susceptible to colorectal cancer. By discerning that this susceptibility results from a damaged cell’s inability to repair its DNA, he discovered a new cancer-causing mechanism. This work paved the way for identification, diagnosis and cancer prevention in patients with mismatch repair mutations.

Dr. de la Chapelle’s work helped lead to the Ohio Colorectal Cancer Prevention Initiative, a statewide initiative that includes 50 hospitals throughout Ohio and was funded in part by Pelotonia, the annual cycling event that raises money for cancer research at Ohio State.

“Dr. de la Chapelle’s discoveries forever changed the scientific community’s understanding of human cancer genetics — specifically in colorectal cancer genetics. He was a true medical pioneer whose legacy will live on through more than half a century of scientific discovery,” says Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, director of the OSUCCC and a surgical oncologist with The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

A Research Legacy

Dr. de la Chapelle came to Ohio State from the University of Helsinki in 1997 and played a key role in developing the university’s human cancer genetics program, which quickly achieved national prominence under his leadership.

During his long and distinguished scientific career, he received numerous accolades and awards, including his election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (now the National Academy of Medicine) and a lifetime achievement award from the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer (CGA-ICC), which works to improve understanding of inherited colorectal cancer and the clinical management of affected families.

“Beyond being a prolific scientist, Dr. de la Chapelle was a thoughtful and compassionate physician-scientist. He cared deeply about patients, and he was passionate about applying his laboratory discoveries to the development of diagnostic procedures as well as prevention and treatment strategies for cancer. I am one of many who are tremendously grateful for his mentorship — and that of his scientific partner and loving spouse, Dr. Clara Bloomfield — in my career,” says Michael A. Caligiuri, MD, former director of the OSUCCC – James. Dr. Caligiuri currently serves as president of City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Dr. de la Chapelle also made significant contributions in the areas of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), acute myeloid leukemia and endometrial (uterine) cancer. Some of his later work at Ohio State included the study of inherited gene mutations that predispose to PTC, including non-coding RNA genes.

Dr. de la Chapelle held the Leonard J. Immke Jr. and Charlotte L. Immke Chair in Cancer Research at Ohio State. A few of his many awards include honorary doctorates at the universities of Uppsala and Oulu, membership in the Academy of Finland and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and the William Allan Award of the American Society of Human Genetics (2002). He authored or co-authored more than 800 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals during his career.

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