Why have we not found the cure for cancer yet? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore paradigm shifts in cancer treatment, molecular biology, and a promising new cancer drug AOH1996 with City of Hope cancer researcher Dr. Linda Malkas. What is cancer? Learn about how cancer actually works and why it is so damaging for the body. Why do cancer cells continue to mutate? Discover the micro world of DNA replication, molecular targets, and sliding clamp proteins like PCNA. Why is it taking so long to find the cure for cancer? Are institutions keeping the cure from us? Learn about different strategies in developing cancer therapies, how FDA testing works, and how every cancer has a unique molecular signature. Learn what AOH1996 does that shuts down cancer cells and where it is in clinical trials. Could we one day use precision medicine to treat each patient's unique cancer? How many cancer cells does a healthy person fight off per day? We discuss immunotherapy and how medicine is moving away from a single-drug solution. Will there ever be a silver bullet cancer drug? We explore new hope in cancer research and the promising future ahead in personalized medicine. Thanks to our Patrons Willie Bass, Nicholas A Jones, Edwin Goel, Joe Gibbs, Shane Alexander, Keith Goodman, and James Kuntz for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson 00:00 - Introduction: Cancer Research 2:25 - What is Cancer? 7:58 - What is AOH1996? DNA Replication & PCNA 14:28 - Why Haven’t They Found The Cure Yet? 18:29 - Shutting Down Cancer Cells 23:55 - FDA Clinical Trials 25:30 - Molecular Signatures & Precision Medicine 30:32 - Immunotherapy & “The Cancer Gene” 33:52 - Medication Half-Lives 36:45 - The Move Away From Monotherapy: Combination Treatments 42:09 - Cancer Cell Evolution 44:23 - The Future of Cancer Treatments