A recent study has shed new light on how ancient dinosaurs can guide future cancer research efforts. The team examined a rare fossil of Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a plant-eating dinosaur found in Romania, and discovered possible signs of cancer-related diseases that are valuable to modern science.
The researchers observed structures resembling erythrocytes, hinting that soft tissues may survive fossilization more often than previously thought. This surprising preservation invites further study into how ancient cells might reveal the origins and evolution of cancer in these animals.
According to Professor Justin Stebbing at Anglia Ruskin University, proteins found in calcified tissues like bone are ideal candidates for studying ancient diseases, including cancer. Emerging techniques in paleoproteomics aim to identify and analyze ancient proteins using methods such as scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry.
The study’s findings suggest that dinosaurs, as long-lived and large-bodied organisms, present a compelling case for investigating how species managed cancer susceptibility and resistance over millions of years. By comparing their biology to modern animals, scientists may uncover patterns that explain why certain species develop cancer more frequently or resist it altogether.
This research holds the potential to lead to better prevention or treatment strategies in humans by understanding shared pathways that drive cancer in both extinct and extant vertebrates. The study’s authors emphasize the importance of better coordination across institutions for fossil conservation efforts, as storing fossils under stable conditions can improve the chances of detecting molecular information decades later.
The study, published in the journal Biology, invites further exploration that could hold the key to future discoveries that benefit humans. By preserving fossilized soft tissues alongside bones, experts may gain fresh perspectives on how diseases emerge and progress through shifting environments.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-fossils-reveal-cancer-clues-for-modern-medicine