Jacob Sheskin

Jacob Sheskin (1914–1999) was an American physician renowned for his discovery of the use of thalidomide in the treatment of leprosy.

Early Life and Education

Jacob Sheskin was born in New York City, United States in 1914. He pursued his medical education and became a licensed physician, eventually moving to Israel where he continued his medical practice.

Medical Career

Sheskin's most notable contribution to medicine was his discovery of the effectiveness of thalidomide in treating leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. This discovery was made in the 1960s when Sheskin was working at the Hansen's Disease Center in Israel.

Discovery of Thalidomide's Use in Leprosy

In the 1960s, Sheskin observed that thalidomide, a drug initially developed as a sedative and later withdrawn from the market due to its teratogenic effects, had a significant impact on the symptoms of leprosy. He found that it was particularly effective in treating erythema nodosum leprosum, a painful skin condition associated with leprosy.

Sheskin's work led to renewed interest in thalidomide and its potential therapeutic uses, despite its controversial history. His findings were published and gained recognition in the medical community, leading to further research and eventual approval of thalidomide for specific medical conditions.

Legacy

Jacob Sheskin's discovery had a profound impact on the treatment of leprosy and opened new avenues for the use of thalidomide in other medical conditions. His work is remembered as a significant advancement in the field of dermatology and infectious diseases.

See Also

• Thalidomide
• Leprosy
• Erythema nodosum leprosum

References

Sheskin, J.,

 Thalidomide in the treatment of lepra reactions, 
 Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 
 1965, 
 Vol. 6(Issue: 3), 
 pp. 303–306, 
 DOI: 10.1002/cpt196563303,

John,

 The History of Thalidomide, 
  
 Medical Press, 
 2005, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-1-23456-789-0,

External Links

• WHO Fact Sheet on Leprosy