Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies

The documentary series aims to reshape the way the public sees cancer and strip away some of the fear and misunderstanding that has long surrounded it. The story of cancer is a story of human ingenuity, resilience, and perseverance but also of hubris, paternalism and misperception.

Overview Seasons Similar

Created By
Status	Ended
Original Name	Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies
First Air Date	March 30, 2015
Last Air Date	April 1, 2015
Seasons	1
Episodes	3
Episode Runtime	2h 0min
Language	English, German
Original Language	English
Production Countries	United States of America
Production Companies	Ark Media
Networks	PBS

S01E03

Finding the Achilles Heel

Scientists believe they have cracked the essential mystery of the malignant cell and the first targeted therapies have been developed. But very quickly cancer reveals new layers of complexity and a formidable array of unforeseen defenses. In the disappointment that follows, many call for a new focus on prevention and early detection as the most promising fronts in the war on cancer. But other scientists are undeterred, and by the second decade of the 2000s their work pays off. Perhaps most exciting of all is the prospect of harnessing the human immune system to defeat cancer. Doug Rogers, a 60-year-old NASCAR mechanic with melanoma, and Emily Whitehead, a six-year-old child afflicted with leukemia are both pioneers in new immunotherapy treatments.

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