Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD)
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a highly contagious and aggressive form of cancer affecting Tasmanian devils, the carnivorous mammals native to Tasmania and parts of Australia. First identified in 1996, DFTD has led to a dramatic decline in the Tasmanian devil population, with estimates indicating that it has wiped out around 80 percent of the species by 2024. The disease manifests as large tumors on the face of the affected animals, which hinder their ability to eat and drink, ultimately leading to death within six months of infection, often due to starvation or dehydration.
DFTD is unique in that it is one of only two known contagious cancers, spreading primarily through bites during aggressive interactions among devils. Research has uncovered that the cancer cells evade the immune system of the devils by lacking specific surface molecules that typically signal foreign invaders. Recent scientific advancements have led to promising developments in potential treatments, including a vaccine trial planned for late 2024 aimed at enhancing the immune response of the devils to the cancer cells. Preservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, are being implemented by the Tasmanian government to combat the disease and protect this iconic species.
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Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD)
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is an aggressive parasitic cancer found among Tasmanian devils, which are wild carnivorous mammals native to Australia and Tasmania. It is one of only two contagious cancers discovered by scientists.
First discovered in 1996, the disease has led to a rapid decline in the Tasmanian devil population across the world. The most common signs of DFTD are lesions and lumps around the mouth, which then develop into cancerous tumors that spread to the rest of the animal's body. Death normally occurs within six months of contracting the disease. Preservation efforts involving breeding in captivity were implemented to save the population.
Overview
After devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) invades the devil's body, it creates huge facial tumors that prevent the animal from eating or drinking. It then spreads to other organs. The animals normally die within six months of infection, either as a direct result of the cancer or due to starvation/dehydration. By 2024, the disease had wiped out about 80 percent of the world's Tasmanian devils.
Spread and Treatment
Scientists at first believed the cancer was caused by a viral infection. The true origin of DFTD was discovered in 2009 by a group of Australian scientists, who published their findings in the journal Science. The group reported that the devils transmit the disease when they bite each other's faces during fights. This makes the cancer highly contagious. DFTD is invisible to the devils' immune systems because it does not have the specific kind of surface molecules that would allow the devil's body to detect the foreign cells. Researchers noticed that the cancer cell's detection molecule is not the result of a permanent genetic mutation, however. The molecule still exists within the cancer cell's DNA, leading scientists to believe that the cell's invisibility could be reversed through genetic engineering.
Experiments proved the scientist's hypothesis correct. By introducing a molecule that encourages the production of cancer-fighting proteins in the devils' DNA, they were able to reverse the cancer cell's invisibility. The animal's immune system recognizes the cells as foreign and begins attacking them.
Scientists from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research planned a trial for a vaccine against the disease in late 2024, giving the vaccine to twenty-two devils held captive. They planned to include the vaccine in the food fed to the animals. The scientists expected a few trials of the vaccine.
Bibliography
Augustine, Judy. "Fight to Save Our Devils from Extinction Hinges on New Vaccine." Kids News, 15 May 2024, www.kidsnews.com.au/animals/fight-to-save-our-devils-from-extinction-hinges-on-new-vaccine/news-story/869abfe8487dc93d7f51039d8b593602. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Jones, Menna E., et al. "Life-History Change in Disease-Ravaged Tasmanian Devil Populations." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. National Academy of Sciences. 105.29 (2008): 10023-10027. Print. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2481324/
Pappas, Stephanie. "How Contagious Tasmanian Devil Cancer Goes Invisible." LiveScience. Purch. 11 March 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2015. http://www.livescience.com/27804-contagious-devil-tumor-disease.html
Rehmeyer, Julie. "Fatal Cancer Threatens Tasmanian Devil Populations." Discover. Kalmbach Publishing Co. 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2015. http://discovermagazine.com/2014/may/13-the-immortal-devil
Yong, Ed. "Vaccine Hope for Tasmanian Devil Tumour Disease." Nature. Nature Publishing Group. 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2015. http://www.nature.com/news/vaccine-hope-for-tasmanian-devil-tumour-disease-1.12576
Zimmer, Carl. "Scientists Discover Origin of a Cancer in Tasmanian Devils." New York Times. New York Times Company. 31 Dec. 2009. Web. 21 Nov. 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/science/01devil.html?‗r=0