Kapronczay Károly szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 230-233. (Budapest, 2015)
KÖZLEMÉNYEK - Elek Gábor—Müller Miklós: Bauer Ervin és a rákkutatás
100 Comm, de Hist. Artis Med 230-233 (2015) New features of Bauer’s cancer hypothesis and their possible interpretations Treatment with spleen tissue Be neficial influence of spleen against cancer with transplantable tumours has been verified in Bauer’s laboratory (Bauer et al. 1936; Bayop u dp. 1937, tables 4, 6). Endogen co-carcinogens of metabolic origin were discovered in the 1930s (see e.g. Fischer-Wasels 1934 20-24, 55-58). It was assumed that SDleen contains an active nrinciDle (hormone?) aeainst these that could be nurified. Snleen extracts, however, did not achieve the efficacy of the fresh spleen tissue. This is understandable in view of most scientists who assume that spleen administered in non-specific treatment has no direct action but is curative bv stimulating the reticuloendothelial system (RES); and RES is the effective, ultimate link in the curing chain. The anti-tumour effect of the Bogomoletz serum is due to antibodies against RES (stimulus!. (Fichera 1933: Fischer-Wasels 1934 43-61; see Schmidt, H. 1955 480, 873-876, 864, 880-885, 954; Kellner 1971 196-197). A lecture given in Russian (Eayop 1936) shows that his theoretical interest in cancer did not diminish. While he still dismissed genetic data on cancer origin, his theory was enriched by many details and he put different stress on details he presented earlier. He accepted the theory of irritation as cause of cancer. He claimed that the permanent irritation in the area of development of cancer decreases the energy level of structures of ‘young’ cells, which get sooner to the state of division, ‘age’ sooner and have a shorter life (Table C, column 1). The second column attempts to explain his views as could be derived from his Theoretical Biology published a year earlier (Ectyop 1935). It is well possible that he would have developed a novel theory of the origin of cancer, he had lived longer. The title of this lecture, Cancer as problem of biology points in this direction. Bauer fell victim to the great purges in the USSR, arrested with his wife in 1937 and executed in 1938 {Müller 2005). His Department of General Biology was liquidated in 1937 {Hmapoe 1989). A separate Physico-physiological laboratory was organised for two members of Bauer’s cancer group, Brandgendler and Grinberg'0. Brandgendler died in defence of Leningrad, Grinberg was probably suppressed". Shabad continued Cancer research at the VIEM. He organized an independent institute after WWII {IJLIaöad 2008). Work by Gurvitch on cancer also continued (Epenoea 1990). Bauers two supporters in Germany fell victims of the tumultuous history of the 1940s10 11 12. Bauer’s involvement in cancer research is almost completely forgotten. In his monograph on cancer research and treatment, Blumenthal mentions only Bauer’s work on surface tension and neither his work on spleen nor his preparation Supertendin-Silbe {Blumenthal 1934). In the volume commemorating the centenary of the VIEM only his theoretical talk {Eaysp 1936) was mentioned as his contribution to cancer research {Fpexoea 1990). The paper on spleen extract activity received some late references (e.g. Amersbach et al. 1946). In the second half of the last century Bauer’s work on cancer was mentioned only in a monograph on cancer metastases {Kellner 1971 55, 246). 10 Directive of the USSR People’s Commissariat of Health, No 1084, October 8, 1937. Central State Archives of Science and Technology, Sankt-Petersburg (U,rAHTfl), Fond 182, opis’ 1-1, delo 553, pages 39-41 11 Personal files (JlHHHbie .aejia) in the Archives of the Institute of Experimental Medicine, St.Petersburg, VIEM. 12 Dr. Silten and his company were victims of the Holocaust; he committed suicide in 1942, when his deportation was imminent (see Leimkugel 1999 47-49). Blumenthal escaped from Germany in 1933, moved to Czechoslovakia, Austria and after 1938 to Yugoslavia, Albania and finally to Latvia. He accepted a position in Leningrad just before Latvia became a part of the USSR. He was arrested by the KGB and became a victim of an air raid on the train transporting the detained persons to the USSR (Kotowski 2005 45).
