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Human Cancer and the Theory of ‘Cancer Phage’

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Abstract

To explain the observed fact that, in England and Wales for ages above fifteen years, the decrease in deaths from phthisis has been exactly compensated by the increase in deaths from cancer1, I have postulated the existence of a Bacillus tuberculosis ‘phage’ which is carcinogenic2. The idea has been followed up in more detail, and several additional relations of cancer and tuberculosis, all of which support the phage concept, have been disclosed.

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References

  1. Cherry, T., Med. J. Australia, Oct. 11 (1924); June 6 (1925); Aug. 12 (1933).

  2. Cruickshank, D. B., "Tuberculosis, Cancer and Zinc. An Hypothesis" (Medical Publications, London, 1936).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Simms Woodhead Memorial Laboratory, Papworth, Cambridge

    D. BARRON CRUICKSHANK

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  1. D. BARRON CRUICKSHANK
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CRUICKSHANK, D. Human Cancer and the Theory of ‘Cancer Phage’. Nature 143, 114–115 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/143114a0

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