The End of the Beginning: Cancer, Immunity, and the Future of a Cure

by Michael Kinch

For the first time since a 5th century Greek physician gave the name “cancer” (karkinos, in Greek) to a deadly disease first described in Egyptian Papyri, the medical world is near a breakthrough that could allow even the most conservative doctors and pragmatic patients to use the other “c word” – cure – in the same sentence as cancer. A remarkable series of events has brought us to this point, thanks in large part to a new ability to more efficiently harness the extraordinary power of the human immune system.The End of the Beginning is a remarkable history of cancer treatment and the evolution of our understanding of its dynamic interplay with the immune system. Through Michael Kinch’s personal experience as a cancer researcher and the head of the oncology program at a leading biotechnology company, we witness the incredible accumulation of breakthrough science and its rapid translation into life-saving technologies that have begun to dramatically increase the quality and quantity of life for cancer patients. In clear and accessible prose, Kinch details the remarkable history of people, science, technology and disease and presents thrilling next-generation technologies that hold the promise to eliminate cancer for some, and perhaps ultimately, for all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Health, Medicine

328 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[Richie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer on the development of immuno-oncology, but muddied by numerous long-winded historical asides and lack of thematic progression between chapters. A glossary and immunology schematics would have been helpful; also some editorial presence to eliminate typos and run-on sentences.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting review of the most recent studies in cancer cure and well researched compiled history of the disease. Some parts could be tightened up but it's probably aimed at those who are not well-versed in the subject.

[Mary | maryreadstoomuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this history of cancer immunotherapy- some sections could be tightened up, but overall an interesting, well-written book.

[Brad Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good info and very interesting but the large number of things that should have been noticed during editing tended to disrupt the flow.

[يمنـــى]

- 5% dnf -
I think the introduction was kind of enough to tell me it’s not the kind of book I’m looking for right now.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cancer is a frightening word. Even with all the advancements in early diagnosis, screenings tests, and chemotherapy, it's still a word that no one wants to hear. My dad died of advanced cancer 9 years ago. They couldn't even tell where it has started and it was too late to matter. He died a week later.

So if you hand me a book about what's next in the treatment of the disease, I will definitely read it. This book, however, really exceeded my expectations. There's so much in here, from what cancer is exactly and how humans came to understand the disease to how we began to fight it.

It's incredibly rich and detailed. I wouldn't call it an easy read. It's full of names and scientific concepts you will never have heard of. But it was fascinating stuff. And for all the assumptions that people have about the disease, I came away from the book feeling quite positive about the future. So many brilliant researchers are working on so many different treatments. One way or another, humans are going to beat this disease.