Devil Facial Tumours: Towards a Vaccine

Area of Science:

• Conservation biology
• Immunology
• Veterinary oncology

Background:

• The Tasmanian devil is the sole mammal species affected by two distinct contagious cancers: Devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) and Devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2).
• DFT1 has caused severe population declines since the 1990s, while DFT2, identified in 2014, poses a new and independent threat.
• Both cancers present unique immunological challenges, with DFT1 evading detection by downregulating MHC class I expression and DFT2 circulating in hosts with similar MHC genotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on immune responses to Tasmanian devil facial tumours.
• To evaluate existing vaccine strategies against DFT1.
• To outline future research plans for developing a specific and effective vaccine against both DFT1 and DFT2.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on devil facial tumours and immune responses.
• Analysis of immunological evasion mechanisms employed by DFT1 and DFT2.
• Examination of current and proposed vaccine strategies for DFT1.

Main Results:

• DFT1 significantly impacts wild populations by evading the immune system through MHC class I downregulation.
• DFT2 represents a novel, independently emerged cancer with different immunological characteristics.
• Current wild devil populations have not recovered from DFT1, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

Conclusions:

• A critical need exists for a preventative solution to manage contagious cancers in Tasmanian devils.
• Developing a vaccine that targets both DFT1 and DFT2 is essential for the long-term survival of the species.
• Further research into immune responses and vaccine development is crucial to protect the remaining wild population.