Video


Sir Roy Calne in conversation with Dr Max Blythe: Interview 3

Abstract

In this third interview, Sir Roy Calne FRS, discusses his career in transplant surgery from 1960-1996, beginning with two unsuccessful pioneering kidney transplant operations undertaken at London's Royal Free Hospital in 1960, then two years spent on further animal transplant research at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, USA. Here, in Joseph Murray's department work on chemical immunosuppression, principally using 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine, pressed ahead against a climate still inclined to x-radiation. How convincing results began to transform this situation is duly considered, as is Professor Calne's attitude to animal research, the views of a dog lover undertaking surgical experiments on dogs. There follows a discussion of developments in transplant surgery in the early 1960s, with reference to the contributions of Francis Moore, David Hume, Bob Schwartz and Tom Starzl, as well as Joseph Murray, also Norman Shumway's primacy in pioneering heart transplantation. Questioned on his role as the pioneer of chemical immunosuppression, Sir Roy clarifies a picture sometimes obscured. There are also recollections of a first family tour of the USA, and meetings with such major figures in surgery as Debakey in Texas, Scribne in Seattle, and Good in Chicago. The advantages and disadvantages of returning to a surgical post at St Mary's Hospital, London, are then outlined, with special reference to support from Stanley Peart and Ken Porter, in contrast to barriers of resistance to transplant surgery elsewhere at St. Mary's in 1962-63. Opportunities advanced, however, with a more senior appointment at the Westminster Hospital in 1963, although distrust of transplant surgery continued to create difficulties. These and problems arising from a brief interest in animal-human transplants are outlined, followed by recollections of principal colleagues of this period, particularly Harold Ellis, 'a great teacher', with whom Lecture Notes in Surgery (now in its ninth edition) was written, also, Lavinia Loughridge, Malcolm Milne, Chris Wastell and Norman Browse. There are reflections, too, on the state of the art in immunosuppression by 1965, the problems of steering a course between suppression and risk of infection. The type of course negotiated between family life and career pressures is also considered, briefly, before an explanation of a move to the Chair of Surgery at Cambridge in 1965. The story that follows is how a small department evolved into a major centre of transplant surgery and research, beginning early resistance to transplant surgery and critical developments overcoming scepticism and advancing immunosuppression. Special reference is made to MRC support and invaluable contacts with the Agricultural Research Centre at Babraham, particularly studies with Richard Binns of the development of immunological tolerance in pigs, involving eventually liver and heart transplantation and multiple grafts. The background to the first liver transplant in Cambridge in 1968 is duly outlined, with reflections on Starzl's pioneering in this field. The story of the 1970s is one of advancing transplant opportunities, innumerable kidney and liver operations, but principally the discovery of cyclosporin's effectiveness as an immunosuppressive. How Alkis Kostakis revealed the potential of Jean Borel's underrated drug during a short stay in the Cambridge department is recalled in some detail, as are negotiations with Sandoz Ltd to obtain supplies of a product no longer considered commercial. The combined use of cyclosporin, Imuran and steroids that emerged is similarly reviewed, with reference to the advantages of cyclosporin to transplant surgery in children. In addition to such advances, Professor Calne talks of the shortage of donors, the public scepticism and the threats from the animal rights movement that reduced only after the publicity of the Ben Hardwick operation, a liver transplant in a child of eighteen months which drew national interest through popular television coverage. In a final phase of the interview Professor Calne returns to the theme of rejection and immunosuppression, outlining recent developments, reflecting on future possibilities. Conversation ultimately turns, however, to family interests and a passion for painting. Postscript. Painting is the subject of a video postscript recorded in Sir Roy's studio and featuring his latest work, 'And the doctor trembled', a study of Alexander the Great's doctor at a time of crisis. Comment also covers the extent to which liver transplant patient and artist John Bellany stimulated new ideas, new technique and a commitment to painting patients, a new subject - the art of transplant surgery.

Other description

Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, USA, Burroughs Wellcome, New York, polycystic disease of kidney, Royal Free Hospital, London, St Mary's Hospital, London, Westminster Hospital, London, Cambridge University Department of Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, Agricultural Research Centre, Babraham, Northwick Park, Sandoz Company, Basle, kindey transplantation, liver transplantation, heart transplantation, multiple transplants, anti-transplant scepticism, 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, cyclosporin, FK506, Animal Rights campaigners, John Hopewell, Joseph Murray, Francis Moore, Kendrick Porter, Richard Binns, Stanley Peart, Harold Ellis, Michael Debakey, Norman Shumway, Jean Borel, Alkis Kostakis, Ben Hardwick, Esther Rantzen/'That's Life', John Bellany, art and medicine.

Subjects

Administration, Geriatrics, Health services administration, Science and state (science funding/policy), General surgery,

Project reference numbers

vid-041, MSVA_154

DOI (Digital Object Identifier)

Permanent link to this resource: https://doi.org/10.24384/000182

Preview

Attached files

  • Type: Video Filename: OB_CALNE-BLYTHE_13-12-96_4x3_133_SD_MX1-1628560.mp4 Size: 214.78 MB Views (since Sept 2022): 77
  • Type: PDF Document Filename: Calne,R_3.pdf Size: 150.12 KB Views (since Sept 2022): 194

Authors

Calne, Roy
Blythe, Max

Oxford Brookes departments

Learning Resources

Dates

Original artefact: 1996
RADAR resource: 2017

GeoLocations

Cambridge, UK


© The Royal College of Physicians; Oxford Brookes University
Published by Oxford Brookes University
All rights reserved.


Related resources

This RADAR resource is Part of Medical Sciences Video Archive
This RADAR resource Continues Interview 2 Part 2

Details

  • Owner: Annabel Valentine
  • Collection: Archives
  • Version: 1 (show all)
  • Status: Live
  • Views (since Sept 2022): 236