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On the Cancer Frontier
Paul Marks M.D., President Emeritus of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Hospital, attributes the elusive nature of cancer’s cure to its inherently anarchic processes. There can be no hope for a miracle cure when defective cells use a myriad of tools to succeed in their relentless assaults. There are many ways cancers get started, and turn healthy cell division and growth into lethal attacks. Cancer cells and their abnormal genes are inherently unstable and so, are able to fight off anything that gets in their way—often a prescribed drug.
In 1950 the discovery of cancer was all but a death sentence. By 1980, 214 of every 100,000 Americans died from cancer. As late as 1986, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed the less-than-optimistic outlook cancer research, publishing the condemning sentence: “we are losing the war against cancer.” In fact, though cancer had not been eliminated, it had begun to be identified for what it is. A highly individualistic disease, variable—a guerrilla cell rather than a marching army. Suddenly science learned how to fight the right war—at ever closer quarters. And at the forefront of the momentous chain of discoveries was Paul Marks.
Chronicling the insights of researchers and doctors around the world and the momentous effects of their pains-taking advances—Marks weaves together the humbling account of how and what we learned about the mechanisms of malignant and abnormal cells that make up every one of us.
In 1950 the discovery of cancer was all but a death sentence. By 1980, 214 of every 100,000 Americans died from cancer. As late as 1986, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed the less-than-optimistic outlook cancer research, publishing the condemning sentence: “we are losing the war against cancer.” In fact, though cancer had not been eliminated, it had begun to be identified for what it is. A highly individualistic disease, variable—a guerrilla cell rather than a marching army. Suddenly science learned how to fight the right war—at ever closer quarters. And at the forefront of the momentous chain of discoveries was Paul Marks.
Chronicling the insights of researchers and doctors around the world and the momentous effects of their pains-taking advances—Marks weaves together the humbling account of how and what we learned about the mechanisms of malignant and abnormal cells that make up every one of us.
- GenresNonfictionMedical
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 28, 2014
The book is about the author's cancer research, his experiments to understand the miraculous impact of treatments on some but not all individuals, and his journey to build a prominent centre, The Sloan Kittering Cancer Institute, dedicated to this cause.
It's humbling to read the admittance that "no two cancers" are the same, even there are many differences amongst the signature of the same clinical types, colon and/or breast. That identifying these abnormal patterns that kill from the normal ones is great challenge due the slim delta in difference between them.
"Developing anticancer drugs is not like shooting at a fixed target;" because in the root of the battle lies an intelligent group of genes which communicate and coordinate their growth activity.
"Consider the successful drug Herceptin," the author remarks. "For years we were not sure why it worked only some cases. Researchers finally discovered that the drug blocked a specific cellular signalling mechanism, or "receptor", that simulated breast cancer cell growth, but only 35 percent of women with breast cancer have that particular receptor."
There are numerous non-approved and experimental drugs touting the cure. These are often a by product of an unexpected result in a lab experiments which didn't repeat when tried on humans. One of the more commonly known of such drug is DMSO. When added to the mice cancer cells which where colourless, DMSO turned them red. The red cells were identified as haemoglobin. "DMSO had, in effect, switched on a genetic function in the leukimic mice blood cells that the disease had switched off." This fascinating accident didn't repeat on the malignant blood cells of humans.
Unlike what we make or want to believe, "conquering cancer" is not within reach; we should accept that despite the progress we are far from such claim. What is within reach however is the research knowledge that gives us the power avoid and/or reduce elements in our lives that can cause mutation in our cells. It seems that being proactive, at least for now, is our best option in "conquering cancer".
It's humbling to read the admittance that "no two cancers" are the same, even there are many differences amongst the signature of the same clinical types, colon and/or breast. That identifying these abnormal patterns that kill from the normal ones is great challenge due the slim delta in difference between them.
"Developing anticancer drugs is not like shooting at a fixed target;" because in the root of the battle lies an intelligent group of genes which communicate and coordinate their growth activity.
"Consider the successful drug Herceptin," the author remarks. "For years we were not sure why it worked only some cases. Researchers finally discovered that the drug blocked a specific cellular signalling mechanism, or "receptor", that simulated breast cancer cell growth, but only 35 percent of women with breast cancer have that particular receptor."
There are numerous non-approved and experimental drugs touting the cure. These are often a by product of an unexpected result in a lab experiments which didn't repeat when tried on humans. One of the more commonly known of such drug is DMSO. When added to the mice cancer cells which where colourless, DMSO turned them red. The red cells were identified as haemoglobin. "DMSO had, in effect, switched on a genetic function in the leukimic mice blood cells that the disease had switched off." This fascinating accident didn't repeat on the malignant blood cells of humans.
Unlike what we make or want to believe, "conquering cancer" is not within reach; we should accept that despite the progress we are far from such claim. What is within reach however is the research knowledge that gives us the power avoid and/or reduce elements in our lives that can cause mutation in our cells. It seems that being proactive, at least for now, is our best option in "conquering cancer".
April 5, 2016
This is the story of the field of oncology, from its humble beginnings to the present day juggernaut, and the author's role as an observer and participant. I was intrigued and inspired by the sense of progress made and of coming into the light from centuries of dark ages. It was interesting to learn about the state of research before the modern era and of some of the happy accidents that happened along the path to progress. The author's drive to make his many visions a reality was inspiring. It was also interesting to hear his insights on the importance of screening and prevention, alternative approaches to cancer care, impacts related to quality of life, and psychosocial care, and to learn about all of the firsts that occurred at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
At times, I wish the author focused more on the field at large, perhaps at national or global levels, rather than on his individual contributions (which were significant) or that of Memorial Sloan-Kettering. However, overall, it was an entertaining and informative read.
At times, I wish the author focused more on the field at large, perhaps at national or global levels, rather than on his individual contributions (which were significant) or that of Memorial Sloan-Kettering. However, overall, it was an entertaining and informative read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2014
The book, on the Cancer Frontier, includes some interesting history of current cancer treatments such as outpatient treatment and the development of targeted therapies. However, Paul Marks enjoys telling everyone how many Nobel Laureates he knows as well as how accomplished his institution, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has been in the setting the trends for all cancer treatment in the United States in the past 30 years. He favors early screening and treatment even if only for improving progression free survival. While he acknowledges that prevention would be a good thing to lower cancer rates, he doesn't want to divert any funds away from treatment. In addition, he finds the goal of Nixon's War on Cancer to find the ultimate cure for cancer as unreasonable but still favors putting the bulk of financial resources toward treatment.
Thankfully it's a short book. Read Emperor of All Maladies instead.
Thankfully it's a short book. Read Emperor of All Maladies instead.
March 18, 2019
As a Physician Assistant who has worked in the specialty of Oncology (outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant care at a major teaching hospital), and having experienced the disease from a personal perspective when my spouse was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, I have a keen interest in non-fiction books involving the history of cancer. I especially enjoyed Dr. Mukherjee's The Emperor of All Maladies and books by Dr. Sherwin Nuland, as well as patient's accounts of their journey (The Bright Hour, The Unwinding of the Miracle, When Breathe Becomes Air).
I was disappointed about the presentation of this book as it definitely centered on the "one man", Paul Marks, rather than the history of the clinical trials and the journey. There were some interesting stories along the way, but perhaps Dr. Marks's book should have been written as an autobiography?
I was disappointed about the presentation of this book as it definitely centered on the "one man", Paul Marks, rather than the history of the clinical trials and the journey. There were some interesting stories along the way, but perhaps Dr. Marks's book should have been written as an autobiography?
August 11, 2014
All I can say is, thank goodness I got cancer in 2014 instead of in the past fifty years or so!
This very distinguished author, who often lets us know how distinguished he is, has been one of the leaders in the "war on cancer" that began in the Nixon administration. We have him to thank that basic science, which allowed for more serendipitous and random discoveries, became the focal point rather than a directed search for a cure that wouldn't take time for lucky discovery.
Very interesting to follow his story as he became the leader of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The politics and policy of cancer is presented here, along with a lot of information on past, current, and future trends in cancer research and prevention.
This very distinguished author, who often lets us know how distinguished he is, has been one of the leaders in the "war on cancer" that began in the Nixon administration. We have him to thank that basic science, which allowed for more serendipitous and random discoveries, became the focal point rather than a directed search for a cure that wouldn't take time for lucky discovery.
Very interesting to follow his story as he became the leader of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The politics and policy of cancer is presented here, along with a lot of information on past, current, and future trends in cancer research and prevention.
May 24, 2020
It’s a quick read. Paul Marks talks about his years of experience as a cancer researcher and policy maker at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Being a Research Tech at this amazing institution, I felt proud and happy to learn about how Marks leadership for 19 years shaped this institution into what it is today.
November 30, 2014
This book had the potential to be a lot more interesting than it was. Too often it seemed that Paul Marks was trying to make you impressed by/with him and name dropping rather than telling the story of how the war on cancer unfolded.
May 22, 2020
The book has less to do with "the cancer frontier" and more to do with the "one man" (Paul Marks). It should be presented as an autobiography if the majority of the book involves name-dropping his personal achievements.
May 20, 2014
Nowhere near as good as Emperor of all Maladies, but an interesting autobiography nonetheless of one deeply involved with the "War on Cancer".
May 26, 2015
Very interesting and insightful story of cancer and current treatments. Did get dull at times. Appreciated the way Marks simplified concepts to maintain interest and deepen understanding.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews