Tiburones contra cáncer

El sistema inmunológico de los tiburones está sumamente desarrollado.

Shark blood may help fight cancer

Australian scientists have found that shark blood could contain a weapon in the fight against cancer. Sharks have immune systems similar to humans and researchers believe that their biological and chemical defences could help slow the spread of certain diseases.

Phil Mercer reports:

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Sharks have unusual antibodies which are exceptionally resilient, as you'd expect from predators with such a fearsome reputation. Scientists have found that these disease-busting substances can withstand high temperatures as well as extremely acidic or alkaline conditions.

What's of particular interest to Australian researchers is the antibodies' ability to survive in the harsh environment of the human gut, which is crucial to the development of a cancer-fighting pill.

Sharks were chosen for the project because they have robust immune systems and rarely succumb to infections. There is evidence that their antibodies can slow the spread of breast cancer.

The aim is to eventually establish a clinical trial as efforts continue to develop this unconventional new technology that could also help in the treatment of malaria and rheumatoid arthritis.

Phil Mercer, BBC, Sydney

 Listen to the words

antibodies
anticuerpos

resilient
difícil de eliminar y con fuerte capacidad de recuperación

predators
depredadores

a fearsome reputation
una reputación feroz y aterradora

disease-busting substances
sustancias que combaten enfermedades

gut
intestino

robust immune systems
un sistema inmunológico fuerte o robusto

rarely succumb to infections
rara vez sucumben a infecciones

a clinical trial
estudio científico

rheumatoid arthritis
artritis reumatoide y/o artrotis

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