What do you think?
Rate this book
Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don't: How Animals Could Hold the Key to Unlocking Cancer Immunity in Humans
This fresh and fascinating exploration of new directions in cancer research focuses on the important role of the immune system in combatting this dread disease. Integrating clues from the animal kingdom, the veterinary clinic, extraordinary human cases, and even embryology, the author—a cancer physician, biologist, and physicist—creates a novel and compelling account of tumor immunology and the promises of immunotherapy.
As the author explains, animals offer us many tantalizing clues about the nature of cancer in humans. Tasmanian devils are on the verge of extinction due to a virulent form of contagious cancer; soft-shelled clams on the East coast of North America are vanishing due to another epidemic of contagious cancer; dogs also contract a contagious cancer but they spontaneously overcome it; and a type of mouse and the homely mole rat are not susceptible to the disease at all.
In humans, there are rare instances of spontaneous cures of advanced cancers induced by radiation. An uncommon form of dwarfism called Laron syndrome confers total cancer immunity on the people who inherit the condition. And recent research suggests that cancer has stolen the secret that shields the embryo against hostile attacks from the mother’s immune system.
The author makes a convincing case that what all of these diverse examples have in common is the immune system and its ability or inability to respond to malignancies. He concludes with a review of the exciting research on the human immune system and the development of new treatments that are inducing the immune system to combat and conquer even the deadliest cancers.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
As the author explains, animals offer us many tantalizing clues about the nature of cancer in humans. Tasmanian devils are on the verge of extinction due to a virulent form of contagious cancer; soft-shelled clams on the East coast of North America are vanishing due to another epidemic of contagious cancer; dogs also contract a contagious cancer but they spontaneously overcome it; and a type of mouse and the homely mole rat are not susceptible to the disease at all.
In humans, there are rare instances of spontaneous cures of advanced cancers induced by radiation. An uncommon form of dwarfism called Laron syndrome confers total cancer immunity on the people who inherit the condition. And recent research suggests that cancer has stolen the secret that shields the embryo against hostile attacks from the mother’s immune system.
The author makes a convincing case that what all of these diverse examples have in common is the immune system and its ability or inability to respond to malignancies. He concludes with a review of the exciting research on the human immune system and the development of new treatments that are inducing the immune system to combat and conquer even the deadliest cancers.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
- GenresScience
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
4 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 22, 2016
If cancer has touched your life…
I was first introduced to Dr. Welsh’s research years ago when he had been working on curing cancer in dogs, and the remarkable results for the four-legged patients. Since then cancer has touched my life in family members and pets. When I ordered this book I was afraid it may be written for a medical professional but I was pleasantly surprised at what an easy and enticing read it was. The stories are heartfelt and just as you want more on a subject the answers are unfolded in another chapter. I felt like I was behind the scenes with the author as he tried using what was available, although maybe not yet tested, to cure his patients' cancer. As a doctor he is sincere in his gratification when he conquers cancer, real in his sadness when a patient can’t be cured, and enthusiastic in his quest for higher understanding and new research.
Before I read this I didn’t realize that there are forms of cancer that are eradicating species while others are immune to getting cancer. Looking at the immune system makes total sense when you read his arguments. One thing is for sure, Dr. Welsh’s indisputable hunger to find a cure for cancer makes me hopeful.
I was first introduced to Dr. Welsh’s research years ago when he had been working on curing cancer in dogs, and the remarkable results for the four-legged patients. Since then cancer has touched my life in family members and pets. When I ordered this book I was afraid it may be written for a medical professional but I was pleasantly surprised at what an easy and enticing read it was. The stories are heartfelt and just as you want more on a subject the answers are unfolded in another chapter. I felt like I was behind the scenes with the author as he tried using what was available, although maybe not yet tested, to cure his patients' cancer. As a doctor he is sincere in his gratification when he conquers cancer, real in his sadness when a patient can’t be cured, and enthusiastic in his quest for higher understanding and new research.
Before I read this I didn’t realize that there are forms of cancer that are eradicating species while others are immune to getting cancer. Looking at the immune system makes total sense when you read his arguments. One thing is for sure, Dr. Welsh’s indisputable hunger to find a cure for cancer makes me hopeful.
May 18, 2016
Must read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews