Sharks Could Be Resistant To Cancer And Scientists Think They Know Why

At 400 million years old, the shark animal group is one of the oldest on the planet. So it’s no surprise it’s picked up some impressive tricks along the way. Scientists know the ancient creatures are super effective wound healers, and they suspect they have a greater resistance to cancer too.

Now a new study suggests a link between sharks’ natural survival mechanisms and their fine-tuned immune systems, and it could pave the way for new approaches to treatments in humans. Researchers identified two immune genes, legumanin and Bag1, which if over-expressed in humans are associated with cancer, but in sharks appear to have been modified as a result of natural selection.

It’s thought that the protein produced by the genes in sharks may have a new function, potentially protecting the animals from even acquiring cancer. The Bag1 gene is often involved in inhibiting cells’ death in people, preventing those that are dysfunctional from being eliminated.

But in sharks it’s suspected that the gene may have evolved to remove its tendency to inhibit programmed cell death.

“Several studies have demonstrated anti-tumor properties of shark-derived compounds in lab studies,” said Mahmood Shivji, the study’s co-lead and director of Nova Southeastern University’s Save Our Seas Shark Research Center.

“It’s intriguing that we are now seeing evidence of evolutionary adaptation in these specific shark immunity genes, which just happen also to be involved in promoting cancer in humans,” Shivji added. He said that more research was required to confirm the notion that sharks are more resistant to cancers, stressing that eating shark meat would not cure or prevent cancer. The meat’s high mercury content could even damage our health.

“Now we have another important reason to make sure we don’t lose these marvellous and ecologically critical animals to overfishing, as is currently occurring in many parts of the world,” Shivji said. “We’ve just scratched the surface in terms of learning what these ancient animals can teach us, as well as possibly provide us in terms of direct biomedical benefits.”


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/sharks-could-be-resistant-to-cancer-and-this-may-be-why_uk_588f311de4b09b4b86489726

The answer, I believe, is to be found in nature.

But, eddie...not in the way you think....

I know what it means, I read the article. My reply is still the same, there are answers within nature.

OP is wrong

Scientists have known for more than 150 years that sharks get cancer. And yet the belief persists that the animals don't suffer from the disease.

http://www.livescience.com/41655-great-white-shark-cancer.html
Pic of Great white Shark with cancer at link

eddie wrote:The answer, I believe, is to be found in nature.

unlikely
most sentient Creatures get cancer
it is just a fact of reality. life is hard, the universe indifferent

there is not going to be an answer for everything and sometimes the answer will be there is not 'magic cure' that can be found in a tree root etc

IT'S unlikely that there will ever be one single magical "cure" for cancer for one simple reason...

Cancer isn't one single disease --  it is a group of disparate problems with many similar features, but with multiple, multi-factorial and multi-faceted causes, at the same time..

If there were one common cause for the development of all cancers, then maybe there could be one common cure --  but until one common factor is identified there, the search will keep on going...

veya_victaous wrote:OP is wrong

Scientists have known for more than 150 years that sharks get cancer. And yet the belief persists that the animals don't suffer from the disease.

http://www.livescience.com/41655-great-white-shark-cancer.html
Pic of Great white Shark with cancer at link

How is the OP wrong?

It’s thought that the protein produced by the genes in sharks may have a new function, potentially protecting the animals from even acquiring cancer.

Did it say they never get cancer or are that they are resistant to cancer?

Take your time

they are not
Science show that is untrue they are not even cancer resistant, you see less cancer in wolves, Cancer is only common in humans cause we have established medicines that prevent us Dying in our 30's like we would have as cavemen, less humans as a percentage die of cancer under 30 than sharks.

It is a complete fallacy. Mainly attributed to trying to sell shark cartilages a cancer cure

Everyone that follows real science knows that

@wolf
there actually is a common cause faulty DNA, that is why some are inherited and some are established through damaging the cell with radiation (like skin cancers)

it is like trying to cure erosion  time will always win in the end

Which shows you did not read the article

"He said that more research was required to confirm the notion that sharks are more resistant to cancers, stressing that eating shark meat would not cure or prevent cancer. The meat’s high mercury content could even damage our health."

So how are they trying to sell shark cartilages a cancer cure?

Again you were wrong, in your claim now on both counts

originally dumb ass read the live science article Plenty of research has been done
It is simply Untrue

veya_victaous wrote:originally dumb ass read the live science article Plenty of research has been done
It is simply Untrue

I have read it thanks, which rightly shows that some sharks do get cancer, of which the article never claimed they did not.
It stated rightly they could very well be resistant to cancer.

Your infantile abuse thrown its getting boring now

Thorin wrote:

veya_victaous wrote:originally dumb ass read the live science article Plenty of research has been done
It is simply Untrue

I have read it thanks, which rightly shows that some sharks do get cancer, of which the article never claimed they did not.
It stated rightly they could very well be resistant to cancer.

Your infantile abuse thrown its getting boring now

then GO BACK TO FLAP

veya_victaous wrote:

Thorin wrote:

I have read it thanks, which rightly shows that some sharks do get cancer, of which the article never claimed they did not.
It stated rightly they could very well be resistant to cancer.

Your infantile abuse thrown its getting boring now

then GO BACK TO FLAP

Bless, poor Veya is so sacred of me, he wants me to leave

Not going anywhere buddy



I suggest you calm the fuck down, you are embarrassing yourself