Cancer, which annually takes the lives of millions of people, originated at the same time as life on Earth, and therefore it will never be possible to completely destroy it, scientists warn.
Despite billions of dollars being invested in countless scientific projects around the world, a new study concluded that the disease cannot be beaten. The discovery means that over time, cancer will become more difficult to cure or treat, because it is a highly developed structure. This, in turn, suggests that the ability to develop cancer is determined by the internal properties of cells that have been formed over millions of years.
Still, researchers from the University of Kiel in Germany and the Catholic University of Croatia urge not to lose heart, since understanding the nature of the enemy will give scientists additional chances in the fight against him.
Evolutionary biologists have found the first evidence of natural tumors in two species of hydra - simple freshwater animals. They say the existence of this disease in tiny, coral-like, polyp-like organisms that first appeared hundreds of millions of years ago suggests that cancer is an integral part of our evolution.
Professor Thomas Bosch, who leads the research team, said: "Cancer is as old as multicellular life on Earth and will probably never be completely destroyed."
While searching for the origin of the cancer gene - the cause of all tumors - the team stumbled upon tumors in hydras, said scientist Tomislav Domazet-Lozo.
“Even before the discovery was made, we assumed that the first multicellular organisms already had a gene that could cause cancer in humans,” he said. “But we were looking for evidence that prehistoric animals actually suffered from tumors.”
The team now believes they have made impressive strides towards understanding the origins of cancer. Another discovery made by the same study suggests that the disease also became invasive millions of years ago. If tumor cells are introduced into a healthy body, they can provoke tumor growth, scientists have found.
Promotional video:
Note that in the United States alone in 2012, more than $ 500 billion was spent on the fight against cancer. Research conducted around the world has improved the prevention of the disease, methods of diagnosis and treatment. But one in two people suffering from cancer still die from illness, Mail Online notes.