What Can We Learn From the Naked Mole Rat's Immunity to Cancer?

80beats
By Eliza Strickland
Oct 28, 2009 2:44 AMJul 12, 2023 3:18 PM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

The naked mole rat is a species with a long list of peculiarities. The mole rat is about the same size as the more hirsute wild mouse, but lives seven times as long, sometimes reaching the ripe old age of 28. The creatures almost never poke their noses beyond the snug confines of their burrows and tunnels, and instead live out their lives underground in the dark. They're also the only mammals who have a social structure that resembles an ants’ nest or beehive, where only one dominant female mates and reproduces. Finally--and this is the part that most interests researchers--naked mole rats never get cancer. A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences probed the mole rats' robust good health, and determined how they beat cancer.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group