marc e. rothenberg md phd

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD

• Director, Division of Allergy and Immunology
• Director, Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders
• Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
• [email protected]
• Board Certified

Burnet Campus

We know so much about the human body, yet the science of medicine holds many mysteries. This couldn’t be truer for allergic and immune conditions, many of which have origins in childhood and cause immense suffering.

In my clinical practice and laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I am focused on solving the mysteries of allergic inflammatory disease, especially eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, or EGIDs.

I had the opportunity early in my training to work alongside wonderful mentors who supported me and my interests in this work. At Brandeis University, I worked under the guidance of the late Professor William P. Jencks, a renowned biochemist, and learned the basic tenets of scientific inquiry. Under the direction of Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Frank Austen, I conducted studies on eosinophil hematopoiesis and developed the first culture system for human eosinophils. During my post-doctoral training with Harvard’s renowned geneticist Dr. Philip Leder, I cloned the eotaxin chemokine.

These were such exciting times for me as a young scientist, and these positive training experiences formed the foundation on which I have built my own laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s.

Here, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of children with allergic and immune conditions. We do this through innovative research, outstanding clinical care, and education of the current and next generation of leaders in healthcare and research.

We take a multidisciplinary approach to our work and have developed preclinical models that have taught us more about the genetics, genomics, molecular immunology and biochemistry of eosinophilic diseases. We have also built translational experimental systems that help us better understand human disease. These approaches have laid the foundation for our clinical trials in patients.

My approach to patients is to provide the best care possible while learning from each patient through research.

With the support of my team, I have been awarded a National Institutes of Health Merit Award, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Achievement Award, and have been elected as a member of both the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. I am President-Elect of the International Eosinophil Society and hope to use this experience to positively influence future research and care for eosinophilic disease.

I am pleased to see my research advance the understanding and treatment of allergic diseases. At the same time, I know that we need to do much more.

I dream of a day when we can re-educate the immune system to reverse the food hypersensitivity that drives EGIDs and that such treatments will be readily affordable and available.

I am fortunate at Cincinnati Children’s to be surrounded by a dedicated and like-minded team of scientists and clinicians – all determined to develop the best treatment for eosinophilic diseases. And I am forever grateful to all of the children, parents, families and adults who partner with us in our efforts to conquer eosinophilic diseases. I am also grateful to my wife and my parents for their love, support and encouragement.

We have accomplished so much, and I look forward to seeing how our contributions can contribute to positively impacting the emerging breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating patients.

MD, PhD: Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 1990.

Residency: Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 1991-1992.

Fellowship: Immunology / Allergy, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 1992-1994; Hematology / Oncology, Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 1992-1995.

Certification: National Board of Medical Examiners, 1991; Board of Registration in Medicine, MA, 1992; American Board of Pediatrics, 1995, 2001, 2008; Ohio State Medical Board, 1997; American Board of Allergy and Immunology, 1997, 2006.

Eosinophilia; eosinophilic disorders ; asthma ; allergy; food allergy

Services and Specialties

Allergy and Immunology, Eosinophilic Disorders

Eosinophils; chemokines

Research Areas

Allergy and Immunology, Eosinophilic Disorders, Global Health

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Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.

Publications

Benralizumab for eosinophilic gastritis: a single-site, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial . Kliewer, KL; Murray-Petzold, C; Collins, MH; Abonia, JP; Bolton, SM; DiTommaso, LA; Martin, LJ; Zhang, X; Mukkada, VA; Putnam, PE; et al. The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology . 2023 ; 8 : 803-815 .

One-food versus six-food elimination diet therapy for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis: a multicentre, randomised, open-label trial . Kliewer, KL; Gonsalves, N; Dellon, ES; Katzka, DA; Abonia, JP; Aceves, SS; Arva, NC; Besse, JA; Bonis, PA; Caldwell, JM; et al. The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology . 2023 ; 8 : 408-421 .

Dupilumab in Adults and Adolescents with Eosinophilic Esophagitis . Dellon, ES; Rothenberg, ME; Collins, MH; Hirano, I; Chehade, M; Bredenoord, AJ; Lucendo, AJ; Spergel, JM; Aceves, S; Sun, X; et al. The New England journal of medicine . 2022 ; 387 : 2317-2330 .

Desmoplakin and periplakin genetically and functionally contribute to eosinophilic esophagitis . Shoda, T; Kaufman, KM; Wen, T; Caldwell, JM; Osswald, GA; Purnima, P; Zimmermann, N; Collins, MH; Rehn, K; Foote, H; et al. Nature Communications . 2021 ; 12 : 6795 .

Environmental allergens trigger type 2 inflammation through ripoptosome activation . Brusilovsky, M; Rochman, M; Rochman, Y; Caldwell, JM; Mack, LE; Felton, JM; Habel, JE; Porollo, A; Pasare, C; Rothenberg, ME. Nature Immunology . 2021 ; 22 : 1316-1326 .

Functional role of kallikrein 5 and proteinase-activated receptor 2 in eosinophilic esophagitis . Azouz, NP; Klingler, AM; Pathre, P; Besse, JA; Ben Baruch-Morgenstern, N; Ballaban, AY; Osswald, GA; Brusilovsky, M; Habel, JE; Caldwell, JM; et al. Science Translational Medicine . 2020 ; 12 : eaaz7773 .

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies inflammatory tissue T cells in eosinophilic esophagitis . Wen, T; Aronow, BJ; Rochman, Y; Rochman, M; Kiran, KC; Dexheimer, PJ; Putnam, P; Mukkada, V; Foote, H; Rehn, K; et al. The Journal of Clinical Investigation . 2019 ; 129 : 2014-2028 .

Genome-wide association analysis of eosinophilic esophagitis provides insight into the tissue specificity of this allergic disease . Kottyan, LC; Davis, BP; Sherrill, JD; Liu, K; Rochman, M; Kaufman, K; Weirauch, MT; Vaughn, S; Lazaro, S; Rupert, AM; et al. Nature Genetics . 2014 ; 46 : 895-900 .

Treatment of patients with the hypereosinophilic syndrome with mepolizumab . Rothenberg, ME; Klion, AD; Roufosse, FE; Kahn, JE; Weller, PF; Simon, H; Schwartz, LB; Rosenwasser, LJ; Ring, J; Griffin, EF; et al. The New England journal of medicine . 2008 ; 358 : 1215-1228 .

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and IL-13 signaling crosstalk in human keratinocytes and atopic dermatitis . Proper, SP; Dwyer, AT; Appiagyei, A; Felton, JM; Ben-Baruch Morgenstern, N; Marlman, JM; Kotliar, M; Barski, A; Troutman, TD; Rothenberg, ME; et al. Frontiers in Allergy . 2024 ; 5 : 1323405 .

From the Blog

Artificial Intelligence Assists Expanded Hunt for Cells Driving Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD 4/1/2024

Researchers Produce Annotated Molecular Map of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD, Leah C. Kottyan, PhD ... 1/26/2024

TSLP Inhibitors Emerge as Potential Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD, Yrina Rochman, PhD 9/12/2023

After 1 Year, Weekly Doses of Dupilumab Most Effective at Managing Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD 8/31/2023

Wider Search Needed to Better Treat Eosinophilic Food Allergy

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD, Kara Kliewer, RD, PhD 6/16/2023

Curiosity Drives Drake Medal Winner Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD 5/11/2023

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Marc E. Rothenberg , MD,PhD

Professor-affiliate, director, division of allergy and immunology director, cincinnati center for eosinophilic disorders program director, chrcda (k12).

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Room S6.441 3333 Burnet Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026 Phone 513-636-7177 Fax 513-636-3310 Email [email protected]

Medical and Doctoral Degree: Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 1990 (Seminal studies on eosinophil hematopoiesis.)

Residency: Children's Hospital Boston, MA, 1992 (Pediatrics)

Fellowship: Children's Hospital Boston, MA, 1994 (Immunology and Allergy)

Fellowship: Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA, 1995 (Hematology and Oncology)

Bachelor's Degree: Brandeis University Waltham, MA, 1983 (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Research and Practice Interests

Allergic Inflammation, Eosinophil Biology and Regulation, Eosinophilic Disorders (especially EGIDs), Asthma, and Food Allergy

Contact Information

Academic - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Room S6.441 Cincinnati  Ohio, 45229-3026 Phone: 513-636-7177 Fax: 513-636-3310 [email protected]

Faculty MEMBER

Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD

University of cincinnati, cincinnati children’s hospital medical center.

Dr. Rothenberg is the Director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati Children’s), a tenured Professor of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (UCCOM), the Founder and Director of the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED), the Founder and Director of the NIH-sponsored, national Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR) and the incumbent of the Bunning Chair of Allergy and Immunology. His research is focused on molecular analysis of allergic inflammation, primarily on the pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs). His laboratory takes multidisciplinary approaches, including the development of preclinical murine models of allergic disease, genetics, genomics, molecular immunology, cellular biology, and biochemistry. Dr. Rothenberg’s awards include the 2007 E. Mead Johnson Award from the Society of Pediatric Research and an NIH MERIT Award in 2010, and he has been recognized as a Highly Cited (top 1%) Researcher by Clarivate Analytics. He is an elected member of the ASCI, AAP, AAAS, SPR and Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Hall of Fame. His publications number over 400. He has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology for the past 17 years, and is a Consulting Editor for the Journal of Clinical Investigation and co-Section Head of the Allergy and Hypersensitivity Section of Faculty 1000.

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Research Horizons

• Asthma and Allergy

Curiosity Drives Drake Medal Winner Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD

Post Date: May 11, 2023 | Publish Date:

From his early days learning about biochemistry, a passion for understanding the intricate workings of the human body has led Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD, on a remarkable journey of discovery.

That journey includes a 27-year career of achievement at Cincinnati Children’s that has transformed how the medical world understands and treats eosinophilic disorders.

In April, Rothenberg was recognized for his extraordinary work by receiving the prestigious Daniel Drake Medal , the highest honor awarded by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Find out more about the person inside the lab coat in this profile appearing in our Inspire magazine.

Related Posts

Artificial Intelligence Assists Expanded Hunt for Cells Driving Eosinophilic Esophagitis

April 1, 2024

Cincinnati Children’s Joins Consortium of Food Allergy Research

March 12, 2024

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Scientific journey to the first FDA-approved drug for eosinophilic esophagitis

Affiliation.

• 1 Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Electronic address: [email protected].
• PMID: 36209816
• PMCID: PMC9742179
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.027

When eosinophilia was first associated with esophagitis, it was thought to reflect gastroesophageal reflux disease, especially given the efficacy of reflux medications to abate esophageal eosinophilia in many individuals. Subsequent studies demonstrated disease remittance with amino acid-based formulas and conversely induction of esophageal eosinophilia in mice following allergen challenge. These results, along with the finding that proton pump inhibitors alleviated esophageal eosinophilia by an anti-inflammatory mechanism, turned attention away from an acid-induced pathogenesis and established eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) as a separate disease entity driven by allergic inflammation. The disease underpinnings were elucidated by analysis of esophageal transcriptomic profiling, revealing gene signatures orchestrated by type 2 cytokine signaling, mainly IL-13. Preclinical studies showed that IL-13 overproduction was sufficient to induce EoE-like changes in mice and human ex vivo systems and conversely that inhibiting IL-13 signaling attenuated these processes. An early proof-of-principle study with a humanized anti-IL-13 mAb in patients with EoE revealed correction of the EoE transcriptome and attenuation of esophageal eosinophilia, providing a rationale for advancing anti-type 2 cytokine therapy for EoE. Dupilumab, a precision therapeutic mAb that blocks the shared IL-13 and IL-4 receptor, is the first drug to advance through clinical trials and receive US Food and Drug Administration approval for EoE. The ability of dupilumab to improve clinical, histologic, endoscopic, and molecular features of EoE and garner US Food and Drug Administration approval is a victory for science, rare diseases, patients, and advocacy and provides a framework for developing additional EoE treatments and approved treatments for eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease beyond the esophagus.

Keywords: Discovery; FDA; IL-13; IL-4; IL-5; dupilumab; eosinophils; esophagitis.

Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD: EoE Receives First FDA Approval with Dupilumab

EoE expert Dr. Marc Rothenberg says it's a relief to know that the FDA has finally approved a drug for EoE.

Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD

Last week the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dupilumab (Dupixent) for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg.

This approval marks the first treatment indicated for EoE in the US. The rare condition affects people of all ages and genders with a higher incidence among males. As of right now, dupilumab is the sole biologic to achieve positive, clinically meaningful phase 3 results in this patient population.

"This is a victory for science, patients, rare diseases and advocacy," Marc Rothenberg, MD, PhD, director of the Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Diseases at Cincinnati Children’s, said in a statement.

Rothenberg has been studying EoE for the past 2 decades and his research has played an essential role in the development of dupilumab for EoE treatment. He and his team were able to demonstrate that EoE was mediated by an allergic response to food, and the disease mechanism involved a dysregulated immune response driven by interleukin (IL-13) elicited inflammation.

As dupilumab achieved FDA approval, Rothenberg offered to answer some questions about the treatment for HCPLive .

Dupilumab is the first treatment in the US to be approved for patients 12 years and older with EoE. How will this approval shift treatment practices for this condition?

Rothenberg : At present, patients are treated with restricted elimination diets, as well as off-label usage of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), as well as topical glucocorticoids (asthma drugs made for inhalation) but now swallowed. These drugs do not work in everyone, patients universally relapse upon withdrawal of medicines, and diet sensitization changes over time. 

As such, there is a need for approved and better therapy. Dupilumab will be that answer for many. It improves symptoms, pathology, endoscopy, and molecular changes in the esophagus. It will also be a relief to know that the FDA has finally approved a drug for EoE.

Will most patients adopt this as part of their treatment regimen if they haven’t already?

Rothenberg : It will likely be used in a subset of patients who are unsatisfied with their current therapy. Also, not everyone, with or without insurance, will be able to afford it.

In what ways has dupilumab succeeded where competitors have not?

Rothenberg : It is the first drug to improve symptoms plus histology (decrease eosinophil counts in the esophagus).

Do you think there’s motivation to get this treatment approved for patients under the age of 12?

Rothenberg : Yes, there is strong motivation, and a large-scale study is currently underway and almost complete.

Rothenberg continues to lead studies of EoE and related conditions as principal investigator of the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers  (CEGIR), which is part of the NIH-funded  Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network  (RDCRN).

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Maurice Rappaport OBITUARY

Maurice Rappaport Maurice Rappaport MD, PhD, age 82, passed away at home on October 12, in Orlando, FL. He was a devoted physician and researcher in the San Jose/San Francisco area from 1955 until his retirement due to illness in 2002. Dr. Rappaport published more than 100 articles and chapters in professional journals and books. He was past President of the Santa Clara County Medical Society; the Santa Clara County Psychiatric Society; the Northern California Psychiatric Society; and the California Psychiatric Association. He was also at Trustee of the American Psychiatric Association. To be closer to family, he and his wife, Mary Lou, recently relocated to Orlando. Dr. Rappaport is also survived by children, Marc Rappaport of CA, Idona Powell of Australia, Sherry Mashman of Australia, Caron Miller of CA, Michele Zauche of MD, Philip Rappaport of CA and by step-children William Masata of England and Kelley Nybakken of AZ, 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Our hearts are broken with his passing and no words can describe how much he will be missed by family and friends. Memorial Services were held Oct. 16th in Orlando. Contributions in memory of Dr. Maurice Rappaport can be made to the California Psychiatric Association, 1029 K Street, Suite 28, Sacramento, CA 95814. Services entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810 (407) 599-1180.

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