AI Generated Image
Scientists discover 1st known likely transmissible cancer in wild catfish
Yahoo • • health
Key Points:
- Since 2013, brown bullhead catfish in Lake Memphremagog have exhibited high rates (23%-37%) of melanoma lesions, a type of skin cancer, prompting investigation into the cause.
- Researchers discovered that the melanoma tumors in these catfish are genetically similar across individuals, indicating the cancer cells themselves may be transmissible between fish, marking the first known case of contagious cancer in freshwater fish.
- The exact mechanism of cancer transmission among catfish remains unclear, though close contact during spawning season is suspected to facilitate the spread of cancer cells.
- Despite the transmissible cancer in catfish, scientists confirm there is no evidence of risk to humans or other species, and the cancer cells do not appear capable of crossing species barriers.
- This finding adds catfish to the short list of species known to have naturally transmissible cancers and may provide new insights into how cancer cells evade immune responses and propagate in hosts.
