Tasmanian devil disease reveals its secrets

Deadly cancer turns off genes, evading the immune system

A contagious cancer decimating Tasmanian devils makes itself invisible to the animals’ immune systems, which might otherwise fight it off, a new study shows.

EVADING ATTACK A contagious cancer produces deadly tumors on the faces of Tasmanian devils (shown). The tumors avoid immune system attack by disguising their identity, a new study shows.