AFRICAN ELEPHANTS AND CANCER IN MAN.

Anew study indicates that successful cancer treatment can be studied and analyzed from reaction of elephants to cancer cells.The research revealed that elephants possess at least 20 copies of a major tumor-suppressor gene called TP53, while healthy humans only have one copy, with two alleles (gene variants) inherited from each parent. People with LFS only inherit one functioning allele of the TP53 gene, according to the team, putting them at a 90-100% lifetime risk for cancer. The researchers explain that the TP53 gene plays role in the response to DNA damage by triggering a form of cell death called apoptosis via the p53 protein. Compared with human lymphocytes, the researchers found that elephant lymphocytes were subject to p53-induced apoptosis at higher rates. Based on their findings, the team suggests the additional copies of the TP53 gene and increased p53-induced apoptosis in elephants have evolved to protect them against cancer. Read more; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/300639.php