Scientists unearth new instance of ‘contagious cancer’ in animals
Researchers have discovered a fourth instance of naturally occurring contagious cancer, studying melanoma in brown bullhead catfish from Lake Memphremagog. The finding could offer valuable insights into immunology and organ transplant rejection.
Why it matters
Understanding rare transmissible cancers helps scientists unlock fundamental mechanisms of cell biology and immune system responses, potentially aiding human medicine.
Scientists unearth new instance of ‘contagious cancer’ in animals left Representative image of a catfish. Will Turner/Unsplash Will Turner/Unsplash https://th-i.thgim.com/public/sci-tech/science/t7zstn/article71604383.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/will-turner-z5gwXaKYuF8-unsplash.jpg Researchers studied melanoma in the brown bullhead catfish, a resident of Lake Memphremagog, between Quebec in Canada and Vermont in the U.S.; the finding is interesting because it could reveal clues to keeping a human’s body from rejecting a transplanted organ Ordinarily, cancers are not regarded as contagious — whereas AIDS, COVID-19, tuberculosis, and malaria are. Contagious diseases spread from one person to another through direct contact, airborne droplets or through insect vectors (like mosquitoes). On the other hand, cancers originate from one of the patient’s own cells. What do different cancer drugs do? | Explained storyline 1 However, so far, scientists have documented three instances in which naturally occurring cancers in animals became contagious.
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