Steven Rosenberg Wins Tang Prize, Thanks Wife for Years of Support, Looks Forward to September Visit to Taiwan [Exclusive Interview]

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Hou Tzu-Ying, Washington, June 16) Steven A. Rosenberg, Chief of the Surgery Branch at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, is widely regarded as the 'father of cancer immunotherapy' and is a recipient of the 7th Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science. Dr. Rosenberg expressed his delight at receiving the Tang Prize, reflecting on decades of research and thanking his wife for her unwavering companionship. Having never visited Taiwan before, he eagerly anticipates his first trip to the island in September.

Steven A. Rosenberg, along with Michel Sadelain and Carl H. June, are the three recipients of the 7th Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science, honored for their discovery and development of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies.

Born in New York, Dr. Rosenberg currently serves as Chief of the Surgery Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). In a recent interview conducted in Maryland, he described the Tang Prize as a globally renowned and highly prestigious honor, expressing great joy at being recognized. Although he has previously received awards from institutions in Israel and those dedicated to cancer and immunology research, he believes the Tang Prize may be the most prestigious award he has ever received.

Nevertheless, his primary mission remains patient care and advancing medical progress. Humbly, he stated that the Tang Prize 'simply represents that we have achieved at least some small success toward these goals.'

Originally a surgeon, Dr. Rosenberg made the pivotal decision to pursue immunotherapy research about 50 years ago. Reflecting on his decades-long research career, he has trained hundreds of young researchers and collaborated with many colleagues, believing that his achievements are the result of collective team effort.

'This is extremely demanding work; I spend the vast majority of nearly every day working,' he said. 'The only way this is possible is by having a strong, understanding, and fully supportive wife.'

Dr. Rosenberg shared, 'Every day, I visit patients receiving our therapies.' Sometimes, entering one room, he sees patients responding well, and everyone rejoices. But in the next room, treatment fails, and 'families cry beside the bed, and you are powerless to help.' This emotional rollercoaster, he described, is intense.

Adjusting to such emotional swings is not easy, he admitted. 'How do you leave behind people dying of cancer in the hospital, return home, play checkers with your children, and interact with your wife? That’s why having a strong, supportive person at home is so crucial.'

Therefore, he dedicated heartfelt words to his wife, Alice: 'She is the person most responsible for everything I have achieved to date.'

During the interview, his wife sat quietly beside him, listening attentively—a silent yet powerful demonstration of support. Their deep, long-standing bond was evident.

In September, Dr. Rosenberg plans to travel to Taiwan with his wife to attend the Tang Prize Week events. Never having been to Taiwan before, he said, 'I look forward to seeing with my own eyes what kind of place it is,' and will rely on Tang Prize staff to guide them and help them get to know Taiwan. He described Taiwan as 'such a unique and successful nation.' (Edited by Tang Sheng-Yang) 1150616

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