Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: Honoring Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg’s Pioneering Contributions to Immunotherapy

Steven A. Rosenberg has spent over five decades at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg is a distinguished surgeon and immunologist renowned for his pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg graduated from the Bronx High School of Science before attending Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 1961 and his M.D. in 1964. He completed a surgical internship and residency at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, finishing in 1974. During his residency, he also pursued a Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University, with a thesis titled “The Proteins of Human Erythrocyte Membranes,” completed in 1968/1969.

After finishing his surgical residency, Dr. Rosenberg became the Chief of Surgery at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a role he continues to fulfill. His research has primarily focused on the field of cancer immunotherapy, where he has made groundbreaking contributions that have significantly advanced treatment options for patients.

His early research focused on understanding the role of the immune system in cancer, leading to groundbreaking work in adoptive cell therapy, particularly with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). His innovative approaches have paved the way for new treatment modalities that harness the body’s immune response to target and destroy cancer cells.

“I had the honor of presenting NCI Center for Cancer Research’s Dr. Steven Rosenberg with a milestone award for 50 years of excellent service to NCI. His pioneering work in immunotherapy has touched lives, inspired researchers, and transformed our field. Congratulations, Steven!” – said Kimryn Rathmell

Dr. Rosenberg is widely recognized as a pioneer in immunotherapy. His research demonstrated that TILs could be harvested from patients’ tumors, expanded in the lab, and reinfused to enhance anti-tumor immunity. His clinical trials have shown remarkable success in treating melanoma and other cancers, inspiring the broader application of immunotherapy in oncology.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his distinguished career. In 1992, he was awarded the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. His contributions to tumor immunology were recognized in 2011 when he received the William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research from the Cancer Research Institute. In 2013, he was honored with the Keio Medical Science Prize.

Further recognition came in 2015 when he received the Medal of Honor from the American Cancer Society, followed by the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research in 2018. In 2019, Dr. Rosenberg was the recipient of both the Edogawa NICHE Prize and the Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research.

Most recently, in 2021, he was awarded the Dan David Prize, and in 2022, he received the Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research. In 2023, he was named among the Clarivate Citation Laureates and received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, highlighting his profound impact on the field of cancer research.

Dr. Rosenberg’s work continues to inspire and impact the field of oncology.

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