Dinosaur Fossil Cancer Sheds Light on Human Research

Scientists have identified evidence of cancer in a 70-million-year-old Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus fossil, with preserved soft tissue structures resembling red blood cells near a jaw tumor. This discovery suggests that soft tissue and proteins may be more commonly preserved in fossils than previously thought, enhancing opportunities for molecular-level disease analysis. Researchers note that proteins in calcified tissue like bone are more stable over time than DNA, making them crucial for studying ancient diseases such as cancer. The study emphasizes the importance of collecting and preserving fossilized soft tissue, as advances in molecular techniques could provide valuable insights for human cancer research. By examining how large, long-lived animals like dinosaurs, whales, and elephants resisted cancer, scientists aim to reveal evolutionary adaptations relevant to modern medicine. The research underscores the potential of paleoproteomics to connect ancient evolutionary biology with contemporary medical knowledge.