The Philadelphia Chromosome cover art

The Philadelphia Chromosome

A Mutant Gene and the Quest to Cure Cancer at the Genetic Level

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The Philadelphia Chromosome

By: Jessica Wapner
Narrated by: Heather Henderson
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About this listen

Almost daily, headlines announce newly discovered links between cancers and their genetic causes. Science journalist Jessica Wapner vividly relates the backstory behind those headlines, reconstructing the crucial breakthroughs, explaining the science behind them, and giving due to the dozens of researchers, doctors, and patients whose curiosity and determination restored the promise of a future to the more than 50,000 people diagnosed each year with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It is an astonishing tale that will provide victims of other cancers and their loved ones realistic hope that cures may yet be found in their lifetimes.

The Philadelphia Chromosome charts the milestones that led to present-day cancer treatment and tells the inspiring story of the dedicated men and women who, working individually and in concert, have sought to plum the mysteries of the human genome in order to conquer those deadly and most feared diseases called cancer.

©2013 Jessica Wapner (P)2013 HighBridge Company. Biological Sciences Cancer Evolution & Genetics Genetics History History & Commentary History & Philosophy Medicine & Health Care Industry Pharmacology Physical Illness & Disease Science Genetic Disease Medicine

Critic reviews

“[Wapner’s] gracefully written history skillfully combines both the science and humanity of this fascinating search for a cure for chronic myeloid leukemia.” ( Publishers Weekly)
“The story of the Philadelphia chromosome is truly the story of modern cancer biology. . . . Jessica Wapner stitches the whole story together with tenacity, diligence (and humor). This is a wonderful, readable, and highly informative book.” (Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of all Maladies)
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What did you like most about The Philadelphia Chromosome?

it is well written. I know someone who had a bone marrow transfer in the 80s in order to cure her leukemia. She was lucky. she is alive to this day I am also reading "the emperor of all maladies - a biography of cancer" this is the more updated version and the future. cure disease by understanding how it works

great read

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A brilliant insight into the discoveries and breakthroughs in genetic medicine and oncology. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Fascinating

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just great to learn molecular biology of cancer. not for those without a good interest in science

excellence in a book

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Very human and informative. Nice balance between scientific and story telling. If you’re interested in CML, medical genetics, BCR-ABL then I recommend. Not a text book, more of a story.

Brilliant

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i found this incredibly dull and tedious - I wanted a book that would have explained something interesting about genetics, rather than give a detailed history of what the researchers had for tea each day. The informative elements about genetics could have been summarised in a single page, as could the meaningful history of the research process - the remainder is just meaningless platitudes... Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I really felt it as a complete waste of my time to have listened to this.

dull as ditch water

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