JAMA November 2015 PMID 26447779

Potential Mechanisms for Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans.

Lisa M Abegglen, Aleah F Caulin, Ashley Chan, Kristy Lee, Rosann Robinson, Michael S Campbell, Wendy K Kiso, Dennis L Schmitt, Peter J Waddell, Srividya Bhaskara, Shane T Jensen, Carlo C Maley, Joshua D Schiffman

Mentions

258
Peak: 3 in Sep 2021
across 6 sources since Jan 2016

Extended reach

219,757
potential audience

Total likes

2,002

Video views

36,311

Mentions per month

Jan 2016 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News167 articles
  • Blogs36 articles
  • Facebook35 posts
  • X / Twitter16 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect curiosity about the mechanisms behind elephant cancer resistance, exemplified by mentions of the 'p53 tumor suppressor' and 'gene duplication,' which indicate both interest and a desire to understand practical implications. The tone is generally respectful and focused, emphasizing research significance and potential for medical advances, which supports a moderate level of engagement and impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the research, with some explicitly supporting findings about elephants' cancer resistance mechanisms.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate curiosity, often connecting the research to broader topics like long lifespan and genetic defense mechanisms.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments demonstrate some depth, referencing specific aspects such as the p53 gene copies and gene duplication, indicating thoughtful consideration.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the potential implications of understanding elephant genetics for human cancer prevention, suggesting a moderate perceived influence.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates how elephants are naturally resistant to cancer despite their large size and long lifespan, analyzing their genomes for cancer-related gene adaptations.
  • Researchers compared cellular responses to DNA damage in elephants, healthy humans, and patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), finding elephants have enhanced mechanisms like multiple copies of the TP53 gene, which may protect against cancer.
  • The findings suggest that strategies found in elephants, such as gene duplication involved in DNA repair and apoptosis, could provide insights for developing new cancer prevention and treatment approaches in humans.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Nick Mark MD
@nickmmark · X

Other answers: Elephants & bowhead whales are both exceptionally long-lived and highly cancer resistant. The elephant (lifespan up to 70 years) has 19 additional copies of the p53 tumor suppressor, which makes it highly cancer resistant. https://t.co/04CBgjmDOq 13/ https://t.co/6Pz04kgk2n

Sep 19, 2021 · 24 likes · 4 shares · 65,955 followers View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

Potential Mechanisms for Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans

Aug 24, 2022 · 4 likes · 42,377 followers View post →
Sam Blackman
@drsam · X

@GruppSteve https://t.co/rchXnEmVFc

Oct 15, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 3,142 followers View post →
Panos Kotsikis
@pKotsikis · X

Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans. JAMA. 2015;314(17):1850–1860. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.13134.

Jul 19, 2022 · 3 likes · 788 followers View post →
Oncologiavet
@oncologiavet · X

Potential mechanisms for cancer resistance in elephants and comparative cellular response to DNA damage in humans. https://t.co/YbXMzMsIc4

Aug 12, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,549 followers View post →
Rob Noble
@robjohnnoble.bsky.social · Bluesky

It's not the main topic but it is mentioned at around 23-26 minutes. @cmaley.bsky.social, who contributes to the video, was a senior author of the "Potential Mechanisms for Cancer Resistance in Elephants" paper published in JAMA in 2015 (jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...)

Nov 25, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share View post →

All mentions

Salwa
@Alll_fine · X

المرجع

Aug 27, 2025 · 281 followers View post →
ブリザム(Kazmi BLIZZAM-Takebe,武部一美ブリザム)
@BlizzamPD · X

RT @HotPaperTweet: 【動物学】【医学】体が大きく細胞数が多いのに、ゾウはガンになりにくい。これは「ゲノムの守護者」p53遺伝子がゾウゲノムに20コピーあり、ゾウは損傷した細胞がすぐアポトーシスするためと分かった。ゾウの血液から得た細胞で検証。OA https:…

Jan 23, 2025 · 35 shares · 934 followers View post →
Rob Noble
@robjohnnoble.bsky.social · Bluesky

It's not the main topic but it is mentioned at around 23-26 minutes. @cmaley.bsky.social, who contributes to the video, was a senior author of the "Potential Mechanisms for Cancer Resistance in Elephants" paper published in JAMA in 2015 (jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...)

Nov 25, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

Potential Mechanisms for Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans

Aug 24, 2022 · 4 likes · 42,377 followers View post →
Helen Gavaghan. UK. Photo+Digital Art by me.
@HelenGavaghan · X

2015. Potential Mechanisms for Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans ... https://t.co/K2BqKcgJOT

Jul 20, 2022 · 1,209 followers View post →
Panos Kotsikis
@pKotsikis · X

Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans. JAMA. 2015;314(17):1850–1860. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.13134.

Jul 19, 2022 · 3 likes · 788 followers View post →
waqar dahri
@Dahri85Waqar · X

RT @nickmmark: Other answers: Elephants & bowhead whales are both exceptionally long-lived and highly cancer resistant. The elephant (lif…

Apr 19, 2022 · 4 shares · 458 followers View post →
Syed Shahrul Naz
@drshahrul80 · X

RT @nickmmark: Other answers: Elephants & bowhead whales are both exceptionally long-lived and highly cancer resistant. The elephant (lif…

Apr 18, 2022 · 4 shares · 6,928 followers View post →
Kelly
@KellyWatts83 · X

RT @drsam: @GruppSteve https://t.co/rchXnEmVFc

Oct 15, 2021 · 2 shares · 13 followers View post →
Stephan Grupp MD PhD
@GruppSteve · X

RT @drsam: @GruppSteve https://t.co/rchXnEmVFc

Oct 15, 2021 · 2 shares · 4,060 followers View post →
Sam Blackman
@drsam · X

@GruppSteve https://t.co/rchXnEmVFc

Oct 15, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 3,142 followers View post →
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay
@smlungpathguy · X

RT @nickmmark: Other answers: Elephants & bowhead whales are both exceptionally long-lived and highly cancer resistant. The elephant (lif…

Sep 22, 2021 · 4 shares · 34,714 followers View post →
Dr.Upendra Chandaka
@ChandakaUpendra · X

RT @nickmmark: Other answers: Elephants & bowhead whales are both exceptionally long-lived and highly cancer resistant. The elephant (lif…

Sep 20, 2021 · 4 shares · 121 followers View post →
Nick Mark MD
@nickmmark · X

Other answers: Elephants & bowhead whales are both exceptionally long-lived and highly cancer resistant. The elephant (lifespan up to 70 years) has 19 additional copies of the p53 tumor suppressor, which makes it highly cancer resistant. https://t.co/04CBgjmDOq 13/ https://t.co/6Pz04kgk2n

Sep 19, 2021 · 24 likes · 4 shares · 65,955 followers View post →
ScienceOpen
@Science_Open · X

It's #WorldElephantDay: 'Potential Mechanisms for #Cancer Resistance in Elephants and Comparative Cellular Response to DNA Damage in Humans.' a @JAMANetwork article found on #ScienceOpen: https://t.co/pwwdwlxbxg

Aug 12, 2020 · 17,021 followers View post →
filippo masini
@filimasini · X

RT @oncologiavet: Potential mechanisms for cancer resistance in elephants and comparative cellular response to DNA damage in humans. https…

Aug 13, 2019 · 1 share · 769 followers View post →
Oncologiavet
@oncologiavet · X

Potential mechanisms for cancer resistance in elephants and comparative cellular response to DNA damage in humans. https://t.co/YbXMzMsIc4

Aug 12, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,549 followers View post →