Wafik S. El-Deiry, MD, PhD, FACP

I had fun reading and sharing some book reviews with The Cancer Letter previously, and I thought I would try again with a new installment (The Cancer Letter, Aug. 6, 2021).

I have no doubt that our professional associations in cancer research and oncology and our NCI in the U.S. care about the plight of cancer scientists and oncologists who have been displaced due to war or violence in their home countries. 

It’s been a hot summer all over the world, but our work doesn’t stop as our problems need solutions.

It was awe-inspiring to see how quickly the world’s science came together to address the COVID-19 pandemic—and much was learned. Academic institutions, big pharma, government, and foundations stepped up to do everything possible in an unprecedented way. Two years later, the results are evident as life is returning to normal. 

In 1974, The Cancer Letter published a story listing seven proposed “laws” postulated by of one of oncology’s wise men, Emil J Freireich (The Cancer Letter, May 14, 1976).

Over the past year, I noticed several books written by giants in our field, people everyone knows, people I am honored to know personally. I was interested in what they wrote, and I thought their books would be of general interest to The Cancer Letter community. 

At a recent NIH study section that I chaired, we had many applications that we reviewed as a group before the meeting. At the meeting, we were required to discuss over 50% of the grants.