Cells Are the New Cure

Synopsis:
"We are on the precipice of a revolution in medicine. Cell therapies represent a new frontier, harnessing the power of our own biology as the new "drugs" that will not merely treat disease but actually cure disease."
In more than 35,000 clinical trials, doctors have made leaps and bounds, challenging the foundation of treatment for debilitating autoimmune diseases, deadly cancers, and even aging itself. These life-saving treatments--at first glance--look more like science-fiction, but many are reaching the final stages of their clinical trials and will reach widespread use in the near future.
The studies in development are evidence that the secret to curing disease may not be a new compound or surgical technique, but harnessing the power that lies within our own biology, our own cells.  This book will provide an introduction to the recent medical breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and targeted gene editing. The information contained within this book could one day save your life, or the life of someone you love.

My Review of...
...The Topic:
While earning my B.S. in Microbiology, I took several courses in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and biotechnology. So naturally, I had a great deal of interest in the topics discussed in this book. Not gonna lie, I nerded out so hard during so much of this book. To hear about these completely revolutionary therapies completely curing people afflicted with debilitating, and even life-threatening--conditions was nothing short of awe-inspiring. 
...The Clarity:
Dr. Smith does an incredible job of writing a book centered around incredibly complex topics without rendering it unintelligible to the non-scientist. Pairing technical jargon with relatable analogies makes up the genius of Smith's approach. Able to explain esoteric cellular processes with a simplicity that is simultaneously understandable and accurate.

Final Thoughts:
This book provides an excellent introduction to the revolutionary advances in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and gene editing. The use of stem cells to promote healing and regenerate damaged tissues has the potential to truly cure debilitating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and MS. Ground-breaking work in immunotherapy uses the patient's own immune system to target and eradicate their cancer. Combined with CRISPR technology, a powerful gene-editing tool, cancer vaccines can defend and prevent cancer long before it can ever begin.

Great look at a future of medicine

I loved this book. Robin Smith and Max Gomez carefully but simply explain the science behind cell therapy. But while the title of the book gives the impression that the book is about a miracle cure for everything, the authors are actually very careful not to overpromise. They stick very closely to what the science actually is but also will give the wider implications. I like that type of science writing - this is what we know now and this is where it can go. At one point, the authors take a little detour away from cell therapy to talk about aging but it was well written so I didn’t mind. And near the end of the book, the authors again strayed away from cell therapy specifically, to talk about some broader issues in medical research, and this was my favorite part of the book. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in science, and especially for anyone interested in medicine.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.