Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies

S01E03 Finding the Achilles Heel

Scientists believe they've unlocked the cancer cell's deepest secrets, leading to the first targeted therapies. Yet cancer quickly reveals unexpected complexities and formidable defenses. Disappointed, many push for prevention and early detection as the war's best bets. But other scientists press on, and by the 2010s their efforts bear fruit. Most thrilling is the potential to harness the immune system against cancer. Two pioneers emerge: Doug Rogers, a 60-year-old NASCAR mechanic battling melanoma, and six-year-old Emily Whitehead, fighting leukemia—both trailblazers in new immunotherapy treatments.