by Laura Heffner
Two scientists at the University of Rochester, New York, accidentally discover a chemical substance secreted by the mole rat called hyaluronan that researches believe is the key to their ability to live 30 years cancer-free. When this substance is removed from the rats, their susceptibility to cancer rises greatly. It is believed because of the mole rat's subterranean habitat, is why they have higher levels of this chemical.
Currently, the chemical is used to replace Botox to fill in wrinkles and also to help treat knee joint arthritis with few known side effects at this time. The researchers are going to see if the gene is effective in mice. If this proves successful, then the next step would be to test in human cells. The researcher's goal is to stop the growth of primary tumors and maybe even stop metastasis.
The "goo" or secretions were brought to the scientists' attention when it clogged a vaccum. When they further explored they found the chemical, hyaluronan. In the mole rats, the hyaluronan molecues are longer where in humans and other mammals they are shorter which allows for cell bunching which leads to tumors. They hope this insight will help them find a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment.
Considering how cancer is epidemic in our day and time, would it not be something if secretions from a hairless mole rat could lead to a cure? Stranger things have happened...
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