Scientists are exploring an unusual new way to reduce the harmful side effects of cancer radiation treatment: using proteins from tardigrades, tiny creatures often nicknamed “water bears”. They were first discovered in 1773 by a German zoologist and pastor named Johann August Ephraim Goeze. Despite only being discovered under the microscope in the 18th century, Tardigrades have fossils dating back over 500 million years to the Cambrian period. Tardigrades are famous for surviving extreme environments. This includes freezing temperatures, intense pressure, dehydration, and even the vacuum of space. One reason they are so resilient is a special protein called Damage suppressor (Dsup), which helps protect their DNA from radiation damage.
Researchers believe this same protein could help protect healthy human cells during radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy is commonly used to destroy cancer cells, but it can also unintentionally damage nearby healthy tissue. This damage often causes painful or dangerous side effects, including fatigue, inflammation, skin irritation, and organ damage, depending on the location of treatment. Scientists hope that Dsup could reduce these effects while still allowing radiation to target tumors effectively.
In a lab, scientists inserted the tardigrade Dsup protein into human cells. After exposing these modified cells to X-rays, researchers observed around a 40% decrease in DNA damage compared to normal human cells. The protein appears to work by attaching itself to DNA and shielding it from harmful molecules created during radiation exposure. Because radiation damages cells mainly by breaking strands of DNA, protecting healthy DNA could significantly improve patient outcomes during cancer treatment.
Some researchers are now experimenting with nanoparticles as a delivery system for Dsup. Nanoparticles are extremely tiny particles that can carry medicines or proteins directly to specific parts of the body. By using nanoparticles, scientists may eventually be able to deliver Dsup only to healthy tissues surrounding a tumor, reducing the chance that cancer cells would also become protected. This targeted approach is important because doctors still need radiation to damage cancer cells effectively. The technology is still in the experimental stage, and many questions remain unanswered. Scientists must determine whether the treatment is safe for long-term use and whether the immune system could react negatively to the tardigrade protein. Researchers also need to make sure the protective effects can be carefully controlled so tumors do not gain resistance to radiation therapy.
Something as small as a tardigrade could eventually help improve the lives of millions of people receiving cancer treatment.
