Comparative oncology of TP53: Leveraging elephants' cancer resistance for humans
Abstract
The TP53 gene encodes the p53 protein, essential for DNA repair and tumor suppression. While humans have one copy of TP53, elephants have 20, contributing to their remarkably low cancer rates. TP53 mutations occur in 50% of cancers, yet no targeted therapies exist. Joshua Schiffman, CEO of Peel Therapeutics, observed rapid cell destruction by adding one elephant TP53 copy to human osteosarcoma cells. MDM2, an inhibitory protein, binds to TP53 and marks it for destruction, but elephants have evolved to counteract this. Peel Therapeutics is developing TP53-based therapies in preclinical trials by restoring p53 folding and blocking MDM2 binding.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Melissa Pespeni
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Comparative oncology of TP53: Leveraging elephants' cancer resistance for humans
The TP53 gene encodes the p53 protein, essential for DNA repair and tumor suppression. While humans have one copy of TP53, elephants have 20, contributing to their remarkably low cancer rates. TP53 mutations occur in 50% of cancers, yet no targeted therapies exist. Joshua Schiffman, CEO of Peel Therapeutics, observed rapid cell destruction by adding one elephant TP53 copy to human osteosarcoma cells. MDM2, an inhibitory protein, binds to TP53 and marks it for destruction, but elephants have evolved to counteract this. Peel Therapeutics is developing TP53-based therapies in preclinical trials by restoring p53 folding and blocking MDM2 binding.
