Symposium Celebrates Rosenberg’s 50th Anniversary at NCI

Dr. Steven Rosenberg, chief of the Surgery Branch at the National Cancer Institute, recently celebrated his 50^th anniversary with the institute. NCI marked the occasion with a two-day symposium honoring Rosenberg’s pioneering work in cellular immunotherapy.

Speakers at the symposium discussed the development of cell therapy for the treatment of cancer, from early studies to the current state-of-the-art basic, clinical and translational research utilizing T cells, T-cell receptors and chimeric antigen receptors.

“Dr. Rosenberg really wanted to focus on the science of what he has been able to accomplish,” said Dr. Stephanie Goff, senior research physician at the Surgery Branch and committee co-chair for the symposium. “So we designed the symposium to have a session that will briefly focus on the initial studies, where we are now, and where we are looking to [for] the future to make cellular therapy better for patients with cancer.”

Most of the speakers were either trained in the Surgery Branch or collaborated with the Surgery Branch in important ways. In her speech introducing Rosenberg prior to his lecture, NIH Director Dr. Monica Bertagnolli noted that he has mentored more than 400 trainees over the course of his career.

Rosenberg was also presented with a milestone award for 50 years of excellent service to NCI. His revolutionary work in cancer immunotherapy has touched countless lives, inspired researchers and transformed the field.

To read more about Rosenberg’s research and career, see: go.nih.gov/zqYfWZu.