Reviews for Survival: A Medical Memoir
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SURVIVAL: A MEDICAL MEMOIR (From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials)
by Lorne J. Brandes BUY NOW FROM AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE LOCAL BOOKSELLER KIRKUS REVIEW Brandes offers an absorbing, exhaustive true story about the obstacles researchers faced while ushering a new cancer drug through development and testing. Although he has authored numerous scientific papers, this is the first book from the author, a retired University of Manitoba oncologist. In the 1980s, his lab at the university’s Institute of Cell Biology did research involving the breast cancer drug tamoxifen, specifically looking for a substance that would bind to “antiestrogen binding sites” within cells. To that end, he says, they synthesized an antihistamine called DPPE (also known as tesmilifene), which appeared to curb unwanted uterine growth, prevent tumor formation, and increase chemotherapy drugs’ effectiveness up to tenfold. A grant materialized from the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and Bristol-Myers expressed interest. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, however. As years passed, funding sources fell through, papers were rejected, and trials produced mixed results. In 1997, the researchers’ MA.19 phase-three DPPE study finally launched but was axed early when it produced no noticeable improvements. Brandes felt this action was premature; indeed, he says that follow-up results indicated that DPPE produced 50 percent longer survival in breast-cancer patients. Meanwhile, Toronto’s YM Biosciences resurrected DPPE for studies on prostate cancer and in 2004 initiated a new breast-cancer trial. That one, too, showed no initial benefits and so was canceled in 2007. This is not a typical story of triumph against all odds; instead, it’s a realistic picture of how science works: small steps forward despite regular setbacks. Brandes makes a gripping, journalistic storyline out of what could have been a dry compilation of facts. Re-created dialogue and photographs enliven this labor of love, and short, digestible chapters also help. The author takes time to describe everyone who crossed his path, evincing real interest in these people’s values and idiosyncrasies; a number of the book’s players died along the way, so this book serves as a worthy elegy. At times, the level of detail, which requires a six-page who’s who list and hundreds of footnotes, can be overwhelming for laymen. However, anyone can appreciate its inside look at the bureaucracy, heartache, and political machinations involved in scientific investigation. A personal, lively, and scientifically rigorous account of cancer-treatment research. ________________________________________________________ "Dr. Brandes' book is a good read...It is a story that was worthwhile writing to have researchers understand that many endeavours do not end successfully. This is true, especially in the realm of drug development. I believe the book deserves to be published to remind researchers, physicians, other health care professionals and even a regulator like me, that the road to a successful drug is paved with pitfalls, despite all good intentions, and that while many active substances never 'make it', much new knowledge can be acquired along the way." -Agnes V. Klein, MD, Director, Centre for Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals and Biotherapeutics, Health Canada _________________________________________________________ "Doctor Brandes’ long-held lofty goal, to find a cure for cancer, embarked him on a personal, almost single-handed odyssey conventionally requiring teams of diverse experts to achieve what he has accomplished. An oncologist, he improbably designed a modified structure of an existing drug that he proposed would enhance the effects of chemotherapy while decreasing side effects. Subsequently, he successfully penetrated the often insurmountable maze of regulations and requirements, a tour de force that led to the generation of early, highly promising results in humans." -Frank LaBella, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Pharmacology, University of Manitoba _________________________________________________________ *****How Science Works By Susan Brink on April 4, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) This is an in-depth look at how science--and scientists--really work. Dr. Brandes, in this intensely personal memoir, takes the reader along on the bumpy road from idea through lab research, through rodent trials and on to the long and patient work of human clinical trials. He shows the highly collaborative work of science. He makes it clear that a scientist with an unquenchable thirst for answers must be a marketer, a networker and a personable schmoozer to keep the money coming in that allows the work to continue. Ultimately, he shows that even when the idea doesn't yield the hoped-for results, the process and the results have value for future scientists to explore. This is a good read for future researchers as well as the general reader who wants to know how things work. *****No other book about scientific research explains it so well! By Pleased beyond belief on April 4, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) An absolute tour de force! This book relates the highly personalized 20 year search of an internationally-renowned cancer researcher to get a drug to market. Although the drug fails at the very last stage (clinical trials), the description of the journey succeeds in so many positive ways! The process is described in tremendous detail, with an emphasis on the important human interactions amongst the doctors, government regulators and the drug companies in their collective search for the miracle drug to control breast cancer. Highly readable. Worth the time. *****Fantastic Read By Oncofighter on April 4, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) I loved this book. It's a true tale of the difficult and exciting journey of drug development. If it had not been for Dr. Brandes' perseverance the project would have died much earlier. Great read, very exciting and very well written. *****You will enjoy it, be touched by it and learn from it By etherprof on April 7, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) I have known the author and the outlines of the story for some years and have lived in this world of drug development myself ( full disclaimer), but this exceptionally well written and detailed account of the drug discovery process exceeded my wildest expectations. In an era when big data seems to dominate the scientific headlines, Dr Brandes book reminds us of the power of ideas. The book details the long odyssey of hypothesis based research, and the myriad obstacles that must be overcome to bring the idea to fruition. It does so in an intimate way that involves the reader as a passenger negotiating the medical, legal, commercial and other twists and turns with him. It is the story of Moby Dick in medicine and you are in the boat. You will enjoy it, be touched by it and learn from it. *****This book is a must-read for patients as well as researchers By QuinnT on April 10, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) This memoir pulls back the cover to show the deeply personal commitment, but also the complexities and challenges experienced by a researcher in his attempts to take a new, exciting cancer treatment idea from concept to development on through to studies leading to potential approval or rejection. It shows the passion of Disease Warriors like Dr. Brandes who are unrelenting in their efforts to bring help and hope to their patients. In delightful, suspenseful prose, he brings us along in this page turner on his personal journey with all the highs and lows involved in his quest to find a helpful treatment for his cancer patients. A great read and good lesson and appreciation for the hurdles and sacrifices, and often disappointment, faced by those working tirelessly to solve puzzling illness mysteries. *****I highly recommend this memoir By Amazon Customer on April 17, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) This book is a page turner and difficult to put down. It is a personal and very readable account of the elation and disappointments encountered by the inventor on travelling the difficult road to bring his drug to market. The author is an outstanding story teller, who bares everything of his let-downs and many personal losses, the people he encounters (from premiers to academic superstars) and the impact on his family and those close to him. Not many people could accomplish what Dr. Brandes achieved through grit and determination. If you want an insight into the scientists and the industrialists that bring your drugs to market, I highly recommend this memoir. You will enjoy reading it to the very last page. *****An amazing story By Amazon Customer on May 1, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) A fascinating book. Interesting to read about the determination of one doctor to get this drug to clinical trials in the hopes of helping so many cancer patients. Perhaps med students should read this as an example of someone truly dedicated to his profession and his patients. *****Five Stars By Amazon Customer on May 28, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) Very interesting. A real science suspense story difficult to put down once you have started. *****Very Interesting Memoir By Amazon Customer on May 11, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) This book is great mix of science, business and real life. The story provides great insight into the science of cancer, drugs and drug testing. The personal thread and memoir of Winnipeg was particularly enjoyable. I highly recommend this book. *****Personal struggles of Winnipeg cancer doctor By Amazon Customer on June 12, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) Full disclosure--I have known the author for a half century. He has always been very smart and very eloquent. This volume demonstrates that. It is full of his enthusiastic personality. The science is quite easy to grasp. The footnotes are all very interesting pearls. The book is totally engrossing with wonderful descriptions of the sundry characters including the author who thinks Yiddish and acts British, plays Schubert on the piano and who deals with his own glaucoma. He is very hopeful that he has made a once in a lifetime discovery of an anti-cancer drug. But hopes were dashed. Sad for the author/scientist. Sadder for the sufferers. What is really amazing is that Dr. Brandes was able to carry on with all of his patient and teaching responsibilities while the events of the book transpired. **** A true survival story with a difference. By Bill Nan Alba on June 15, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir (Hardcover) Survival is a double or even quadruple-entendre in the title of this excellent memoir by someone who really has "been there". Dr. Brandes survived the rigors and whims of cancer laboratory research, although he has little good to say about many of those who should have more quickly or easily funded his efforts. He and his colleagues then survived the regulatory process to bring his biggest discovery, a drug called DPPE, into clinical research in a way that he acknowledges could not be done now in the 21st century. It seemed that the drug would enhance survival in patients who have breast cancer but, unfortunately (spoiler alert) this early finding could not be confirmed. The author also survived three or four negotiations with "big pharma" and on-again, off-again licensing deals. His opinions on the people he met during those years vary from admiration to disappointment and beyond and he sees no reason now to sugar-coat the truth as he sees it pertaining to the latter group . The book is quite long and detail-intense although it does feel like the good story it is--it would be a great story if the ending had turned out differently but this is not the only book at which that criticism could be leveled! Since it is non-fiction, this aspect is clearly not the author's fault and I'm sure he would have preferred the "alternative ending" for himself and his patients. The photographs are a welcome addition to the many personality and incident descriptions but I found the footnotes a little intrusive although perhaps necessary for a non-scientific reader, which I am not. Despite the many challenges and obstacles he overcame, not least of these being the Winnipeg winters, and the unkindest cut of all in the end of the story, Dr. Brandes' intelligence, optimism, good humor and doggedness come through as obviously as his respect for many colleagues he was pleased to collaborate with along the way. He is the ultimate survivor of the title and I tip my hat to him and his book. ***** One incredible story, one amazing doctor By Enthusiastic physician on April 3, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir: From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials (Kindle Edition) An absolute tour de force. This book is a must read, not only for people in research and medicine, but for anyone interested in drug development, cancer treatment, clinical trials and the goings-on in the FDA and pharmaceutical industry. Talk about brilliance and perseverance...Dr. Brandes has it in spades! Even more remarkable, he is a very talented writer who has produced a real page turner filled with humor, pathos, touching anecdotes and genuine caring for his colleagues and patients. Yet there is no whitewashing here. He calls a spade a spade and is sometimes refreshingly critical of his own foibles, let alone those of others. Amazingly, he makes the science behind his discovery understandable to the general reader. Verdict: An enthusiastic recommendation to buy this book! *****You won't be disappointed! By David Evans on April 4, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir: From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials (Kindle Edition) If you have ever watched a pharmaceutical commercial and asked yourself, "what does it take for the scientist to come up with that new drug, and how do they determine if that one is 'right for you'", then this book is the one for you. Lorne Brandes pulls back the curtain and unveils his personal story, answering those very questions, in a clear, concise, and no-holds barred style that makes the reader appreciate just how difficult the task is. But ultimately, so worthwhile, and rewarding! ***** Survival-A Medical Memoir. A fascinating insight into drug development By Amazon Customer on April 12, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir: From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials (Kindle Edition) Dr. Brandes, has discovered a promising cancer drug that potentiates chemotherapy (making it more effective) while reducing side-effects ( toxicities) of chemo agents and brings the reader on a journey about drug development through early discovery, laboratory research and finally getting the help he needs from big pharma to bring DPPE into the cancer clinic. As a physician he encounters many road blocks and disappointments along the way. Never the doubter, he continues to believe in DPPE and presses on. Dr. Brandes escorts his reader through his highs and lows, as he moves DPPE forward believing in his discovery and hoping for regulator approval. It's a fascinating story giving insight into the workings of large pharma companies, regulator agencies like the FDA and Health Canada, In between he weaves in the different characters with their personalities. Along the journey, Dr. Brandes also takes time to recount personal stories of colleagues he has enlisted to help define DPPE. He introduces the reader to his family and his colleagues' personal stories. The book is a good read and gives insight into drug development and human relationships. I highly recommend it. *****Not always an easy read for someone who doesn't have a background in science By Bernie Bellan on May 3, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir: From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials (Kindle Edition) Not always an easy read for someone who doesn't have a background in medicine in chemistry, still this book offers an insightful look at the painstakingly, and probably largely unnecessary, process whereby a drug is taken from discovery to market. Dr. Brandes writes in a clear, often self-deprecating manner, in which he tells a story that ends in disappointment, but not without a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. At the end I was just left wondering how many other great drugs have been left on the shelf, either because one of those predatory drug companies whose sole goal seems to be maximizing profits decided, often for reasons that had nothing to do with the effectiveness of a particular drug, not to pursue the development of a particular drug. Especially at a time when drug companies seem determined to gouge the public by raising drug prices to unconscionable levels, this book takes you behind the scenes to realize how little research drug companies do, instead relying upon brilliant researchers such as Dr. Brandes. *****Medical research like never before By Robert Bieber on June 13, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir: From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials (Kindle Edition) Survival: a Medical Memoir’ is an epic; it gives the reader some idea of what goes into medical research. Recognising the hurdles that have to be overcome to achieve a positive result will make the reader respect the role of a medical researcher like never before. It might also inject a degree of cynicism about the role of ‘Big Pharma’. Whilst not a story of triumph, it explains how science works with an emphasis on how, against all the odds, Brandes dealt with adversity. It's a moving story with many twists and turns and will serve as a salutary warning as to what can go wrong, despite the most positive of expectations. The author provides a most unusual insight into what makes medical research; it's not only a good read but a valuable tool for others embarking on a similar path. *****Lorne Brandes offers a highly personal view from the bench ..., By Patrick J. Skerrett on July 25, 2016 This review is from: Survival: A Medical Memoir: From Drug Discovery To Clinical Cancer Trials (Kindle Edition) Lorne Brandes offers a highly personal view from the bench on what it takes to discover a drug and usher it through clinical trials. The journey isn't for the faint of heart. |
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