The naked mole-rat (“NMR”) has the same size as the normal mouse and is also a burrowing rodent. The hairless rodent has been attracting a lot of attention from scientists due to its capability to resist cancer, its impressive ability to survive without oxygen for 18 minutes, and its unusually long lifespan.
One of the researchers has decided to research to determine the mechanisms behind the naked rat’s remarkable resistance to cancer.
The naked mole-rat has a very minimal case of cancer among all mammals, and more knowledge about this cancer-resistant trait will give more insights into how cancer develops in human beings. It may lead to discovering new ways of preventing and treating disease in human beings. The scientists emphasize the importance of minimal cancer incidence in this rodent and that one in birds. However, the scientists are interested in a naked mole-rat since it falls in the group of mammals, just like human beings.
Before the experiment, it was believed that the Naked Mole Rat cells were resistant to cancer. However, after the research, it was proven that after subjecting its cells to oncogenes that cause cancer in mice, the naked mole-rat cells were also affected. The researchers concluded from other advanced studies that the naked mole-rat cell can also become cancerous the same way human or rat cells can be affected. It was in contradiction with the original research from other researchers who had performed the same experiment. The conclusion was that the NMR cells could become cancerous.
There are different types of cancer, and certain types are treated better than others are. Researchers are aiming to identify the mechanisms that are suppressing cancer in the NMR. Those mechanisms could, therefore, be translated into human beings to help prevent disease. The aim is to get some immune cells that can kill cancer cells in early stages; then boost their efficiency in humans. In this way, scientists are hoping to come up with something transformational in preventing cancer. By studying the NMR as it’s the only mammal with exceptional cancer signs, hopefully, there will be some breakthrough.
It has been proven that NMR cells can become cancerous, but why are the animals themselves resistant? That’s what needs to be unraveled. Other areas also need to be investigated. For instance, it is either the mammal’s immune system that is extra attentive in noting and killing off cancerous cells or the environment where its cells live stops cancerous cells from penetrating.
A lot still needs to be done to come up with concrete evidence and facts behind NMR resistance to cancer. For instance, does the NMR immune system change in a way that the human immune system cannot? However, all the research has demonstrated that there is no straightforward way to prove why the NMR is resistant to cancer. Therefore, research must continue for a better understanding of why the NMR appears to be immune to cancer. It wouldn’t be surprising if companies like Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) come up with solutions that utilize what is learned by studying the naked mole rat.
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