Scientists unearth new instance of ‘contagious cancer’ in animals - The Hindu
Researchers have identified a rare instance of transmissible cancer spreading among freshwater brown bullhead catfish, challenging conventional biological assumptions. Typically, tumors originate and develop strictly within an individual host rather than acting like an infectious agent. However, whole-genome sequencing confirmed that these malignant melanoma cells form a single clonal lineage passing directly between different fish. This marks the first time such a phenomenon has been documented in any freshwater or fish species, joining a very exclusive list that includes dogs, Tasmanian devils, and certain marine bivalves. Scientists believe that close physical proximity during seasonal spawning or continuous contact with lake bottom sediment may facilitate transmission. This groundbreaking finding broadens our comprehension of cancer evolution, pathogen dynamics, and how infectious diseases manifest across diverse wildlife populations.
Read full Story »Disclaimer: This preview includes title, image, and description automatically sourced from the original website (www.thehindu.com) using publicly available metadata / OG tags. All rights, including copyright and content ownership, remain with the original publisher. If you are the content owner and wish to request removal, please contact us from your official email to no_reply@newspaperhunt.com.
