Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Dr. Rosenberg has been involved with drug research since 1991. Having studied the mechanisms of cancer treatment failure, the following concepts have become apparent to Dr. Rosenberg. There are many substances, such as various chemotherapies, that are toxic to cancer cells in vitro (outside of the body, in a culture medium).
These therapies, however, are more often than not, ineffective in vivo (inside the body). Why are these therapies ineffective in humans?
- Most, if not all cancers, are propagated by cancer stem cells. The bulk of a tumor consists of cancer cells that are not reproducing, or self-propagating. Chemotherapy, not only does not kill cancer stem cells (it only affects the non-reproducing cells), it tends to produce resistance in cancer stem cells.
- Cancer stem cells are constantly mutating. When chemotherapy elicits a temporary response (by killing the non-dividing cells), the "remission" is short-lived. The reason is that the cancer stem cells quickly mutate resulting in a more aggressive cancer that no longer responds to that chemotherapy.
- Blood supply to most tumors is poor, causing parts of the tumors to become hypoxic (low oxygen content) and acidic. These conditions promote aggressiveness and metastasis. In addition, because of inadequate blood supply, much of the tumor will not even get perfused with the intended chemotherapy.
- Cancer is the interaction and communication between mutated cancer stem cells and its natural environment. The natural environment consists of the bone marrow (where the immune system resides), the milieu directly outside the cancer cells, and the energy supply to the tumors. Chemotherapy and radiation targets the cancer cells, while ignoring the environment. As long as the environment remains unaltered, the cancer cells will continue to communicate and propagate cancer.
Dr. Rosenberg has concentrated his efforts on altering the cancer environment, while blocking as many pathways of cancer growth as possible. His goal: to convert an acutely progressive terminal disease into a chronic disease that can be managed indefinitely.
Dr. Rosenberg recently appeared on Fox News for inducing remission on a patient with metastatic lung cancer (to liver and spine) that was refractory to chemotherapy.