# Disease Immunity Discoveries A New Cure for Cancer May be Hidden in Mole Rat Genetics By Wesley Yang | Published 2009-09-22 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mole-rats-cure-for-cancer References: [newscientist](http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327267.300-naked-mole-rats-may-help-cure-cancer.html) The naked mole rat, native to parts of East Africa, may just be the next step in our search for the cure to cancer. These rodents, surprisingly, are immune to cancer. It is nearly impossible to culture naked mole rat cells in the lab. Their [unique cells stop dividing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genetic-marker) once they reach a certain relatively low density. This cell property, found to be controlled in the genes p16 and p27, may very well be the cure to cancer. In human DNA, it is primarily controlled by p27, so naked mole rats have an extra layer of protection. If this could be replicated in humans, our [fight against cancer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/early-detection-test) could be over! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Genetic Disease Immunity:** Exploring the genetic makeup of organisms that are naturally immune to diseases to find potential cures and treatments. - **Novel Cancer Therapies:** Investigating unique cell properties and genes in animals like the naked mole rat to develop innovative approaches in the battle against cancer. - **Gene-based Cancer Research:** Using genetic insights from the naked mole rat to target and manipulate specific genes for potential cancer treatments. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Biotechnology:** Developing gene-editing technologies and therapies based on the discoveries from studying disease immunity in animals. - **Pharmaceutical:** Creating new drugs and therapies by leveraging the genetic understanding of animals with natural disease immunity to combat cancer and other illnesses. - **Medical Research:** Conducting research and clinical trials to apply the genetic insights from the naked mole rat to develop groundbreaking treatments for cancer and other diseases. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Game-Changing Obesity Therapies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/obesity-therapy.md) - [Innovative Rat Birth Control](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rat-birth-control.md) - [HIV Treatment Research Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-molecules.md) - [Oral Cancer-Detection Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cancerdetect.md) - [Cancer-Combatting Advanced Genomic Techniques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/advanced-genomic-techniques.md) - [Marine Microbe Discoveries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cellcycle-flaw.md) - [AI-Powered Cancer Screening Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-cancer-screening.md) - [Free Cancer-Identifying Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-comprehensive-cancer-network.md) - [Veterinary Medicine Advancements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anibiom.md)