How cancer spreads through Tasmanian Devils

    Devil face tumor disease or DFTD is exterminating populations of Tasmanian devils throughout Tasmania due to its ability to be transmitted between individuals. The cancer is able to do this not through the use of a virus but instead, the cancer cell itself is able to bypass the devil’s immune system and colonize the host's tissue. This study looked into the mechanics of how this happens and how it can be treated. The cancer cells go undetected by the host's immune system due to the low genetic diversity of the MHC gene and overall poor genetic diversity, and inbreeding of the populations of Tasmanian devils throughout the island. MHC gene helps the body create T-cells and immune responses to tumors. The cancer cells express this gene allowing it to evade the host's immune system because it recognizes it as its own cell due to the poor genetic diversity of this gene. Methods to help stop this have been attempting to develop a vaccine, keeping healthy populations of Tasmanian devils in captivity, and introducing new Tasmanian devils into areas with very low genetic diversity in hope of creating resistant individuals.