Former Michigan State University (MSU) professor of chemistry Barnett Rosenberg, who, along with Loretta Van Camp and Thomas Krigas first discovered the anti-cancer properties of platinum, has died at the age of 82.

In the early 1970s, Dr Rosenberg and his colleagues found that platinum, when combined with chloride and ammonium, could be used as an anti-tumour agent.

The solution, which was named cisplatin, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in humans in 1978 and is still used to this day as an effective cancer treatment.

"With the passing of Barnett Rosenberg, Michigan State University and the worlds of science and health have lost a huge figure," commented MSU president Lou Anna Simon.

"The scientific advancements of Dr Rosenberg have saved thousands of lives, and we will forever be grateful."

However, before his death Professor Rosenberg was adamant that the potential of platinum-based drugs had yet to be fulfilled.

While he was said to be "euphoric" at how the discovery of cisplatin had saved so many lives, he continued to be "disturbed" by the fact that his success had not been built on.

"For years I've been saying this is the first platinum-based drug we discovered," he said.

"It can't possibly be the best one. It's disappointing that the scientific community has not been able to find better ones."

Dr Rosenberg died on August 8th just two days after the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reaffirmed the potency of cisplatin by publishing an article which suggests the drug is particularly effective at combating certain types of lung cancer when allied with a chemotherapy drug known as Alimta.

Source:

Former MSU professor, developer of anti-cancer drug dies at age 82 (10/08/09)

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