Genetic analysis of clonally transmissible cancers in dogs and Tasmanian devils
- Transmissible cancers are clonal cell lineages that “metastasize” between individuals by the physical transfer of living cancer cells. Transmissible cancers are rare in nature, and are only known to naturally affect dogs, Tasmanian devils and several bivalve species. Tasmanian devils – marsupial carnivores endemic to the Australian island of Tasmania – are endangered due to a transmissible facial cancer that has spread widely and rapidly through their population. The transmissible cancer found in dogs is sexually transmitted, and is found in dog populations around the world. Transmissible cancers are allogeneic grafts in their hosts, and the mechanisms whereby they escape the immune system are incompletely understood. Elizabeth will discuss recent genetic analysis of transmissible cancers in dogs and Tasmanian devils.
- Cancer in the wilderness - Cell 14 July 2016.
