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Cancer cells self-destruct in blind mole rats

Underground rodents evolved a way to zap mutating tissue

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

Subterranean rodents with no eyes may show scientists a new way to beat cancer.

CANCER FIGHTER Blind mole rats fight cancer by killing off cells in a messy type of cellular suicide known as necrosis. Courtesy of Andrei Seluanov

Blind mole rats — solitary, tunnel-dwelling cousins of rats and mice — live a long time and don’t get cancer.