University of Miami loses world renowned researcher in viral lymphoma

Abstract

University of Miami loses world renowned researcher in viral lymphoma

William J. Harrington Jr., M.D. 1954 - 2009

Dr. William J. Harrington, Jr., M.D., Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, a leading authority on viral-induced cancers and co-leader of the Viral Oncology Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, died from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 54.  His organs were donated to others.

“It is impossible to express how much he will be missed by everyone at Sylvester and throughout the medical school and university,” said W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., Director of Sylvester.

Dr. Harrington’s research uncovered a novel approach to attacking tumors that had proved resistant to conventional chemotherapy. His team found that interferon played a role in viral-mediated lymphomas.

A close colleague, Glen Barber, Ph.D, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and co-leader of the Viral Oncology Program with Harrington, said he “frequently obtained fantastic results that were not deemed possible.”  Barber also knew him as a friend, describing him as “an adventurer and free spirit” who loved the outdoors and hiked all over the world.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Harrington received multiple National Cancer Institute research awards to study and develop novel therapies for Epstein Barr-related lymphoma.  He had also been collaborating with investigators in Brazil to develop new therapies against Epstein Barr-related lymphoma, and was an internationally recognized expert for his clinical work with patients with HIV who developed viral lymphomas.

His patients were often poor and had no insurance, but Dr. Harrington would see them any time of the day or night.  Another colleague, Mark Goodman, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, said Harrington had a “real respect for the profession of medicine and for humanity.”

Juan C. Ramos, M.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, considered Dr. Harrington his mentor, and worked with him for the past eight years.  “It is because of Bill’s influence that I work in this field and have been successful so far,” said Ramos, who first began working in Dr. Harrington’s clinic and laboratory during his residency.  Ramos also credits Dr. Harrington for his award of a highly competitive grant to continue work in Dr. Harrington’s original project on HTLV1-related lymphomas.  He says the visionary work that is Dr. Harrington’s legacy and passion will continue.  “That’s my commitment.  There’s nothing else that would drive me.”

Dr. Harrington was also continuing the work of his late father as co-director of the William J. Harrington Medical Training Programs in Latin America.  The program started by Dr. William J. Harrington Sr., former Chair of Medicine, trains top-tier medical graduates from Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Harrington, Sr. was well-known in the field of Hematology for having unraveled an autoimmune basis for Idiopathic Thromboyctopenic Purpura by injecting himself with an ITP patient's serum early in his career. William Harrington, Jr.'s brother, Thomas Harrington, M.D., an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Miller School, says he spent 18 months in Brazil many years ago at the suggestion of their father, a trip which left a strong impression on him.

Dr. William J. Harrington, Jr. served a 5-year term as a member of the Editorial Board of Cancer Biology and Therapy from 2002 to 2006, graciously providing his expertise in the area of viral lymphoma.

Dr. Harrington is survived by his wife, Tania, whom he met in Brazil; mother, Mary; sons Matthew and Gabriel, with Tania; son William of Miami and daughter Juliana DeMelo of Orlando, from a previous marriage; brothers Tom and Tim; sister Ann Healy of Georgia; and granddaughter Maria Clara.