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🇪🇸 Spain /Health & Science

Tumors use the same gene as Sherpas to grow without oxygen

From La Vanguardia · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • Researchers found that tumors can use EPAS1, a gene linked to Sherpas’ adaptation to low oxygen at high altitude, to survive hypoxia.
  • The insight emerged after the researcher experienced oxygen deprivation while climbing mountains and connected it with tumor biology.
  • The findings appeared on the cover of Cancer Discovery and were reviewed by Nature.

A mountain climb provided the clue to a cancer mystery: tumors can adapt to oxygen shortages using the same gene that helps Sherpas survive at high altitude.

The researcher experienced hypoxia while climbing Aconcagua and Mont Blanc. He described becoming dazed during an ascent, descending, sleeping, and then feeling much better before climbing again. The experience brought to mind the genetics of Sherpas, who adapt to scarce oxygen through the EPAS1 gene.

Back in the laboratory, he examined tumors that continue developing despite hypoxia. Tumors can grow so quickly that their centers lose blood supply and oxygen. The question was why that shortage did not stop them. Research involving people born with hypoxia caused by heart disease offered another clue. Some babies born with cyanosis survive after surgery, while others do not, and those patients face a higher risk of developing tumors.

The tumors became Sherpa tumors and grew without oxygen while the rest of the cells in the poor baby remained in hypoxia.

· Cancer researcherThe researcher describes how tumors adapt to oxygen deprivation using the same genes as Sherpas.

The research team concluded that tumors deprived of oxygen select the same genes Sherpas use to adapt to hypoxia. The tumors effectively became “Sherpa tumors,” continuing to grow and metastasize even as the rest of the body struggled with low oxygen. Identifying EPAS1 confirmed the connection and earned the work a cover in Cancer Discovery and a review in Nature.

The researcher presents science as a connected expedition, extending from the laboratory into forests, deserts, and high mountains before returning with new questions and clues.

Science is a great expedition. We are on it.

· Cancer researcherHe explains why research should pursue clues beyond the laboratory.
About this summary

Originally published by La Vanguardia in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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