Dinosaur Soft Tissue Unlocks Cancer Clues

A pioneering study in the journal Biology reveals that cutting‑edge paleoproteomic methods (study of ancient proteins) can extract soft‑tissue information from dinosaur fossils offering fresh avenues for cancer research. Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University and Imperial College London examined the 66–70 million‑year‑old remains of Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a duck‑billed herbivore from Romania’s Hațeg Basin, and identified low‑density, red‑blood‑cell–like structures within the fossilized bone using Scanning Electron Microscopy.

These red blood cell analogs suggest that cellular and protein remnants may be far more common in ancient specimens than once believed. By cataloging preserved proteins and biomarkers, researchers aim to trace the origins and evolution of diseases, cancer included, across deep time. Previous work even documented tumor evidence in the same species, hinting at cancer’s ancient roots.

Lead author Justin Stebbing emphasizes that dinosaur bones, with their stable, calcified proteins, offer a more durable record than DNA. He argues that soft tissues harbor crucial molecular data, shedding light on how large, long‑lived creatures managed cancer susceptibility over millions of years. The team’s use of relatively rare analytical techniques underscores the untapped potential of fossilized soft tissue.

Looking ahead, the authors call for a shift in paleontological practice: prioritizing the recovery and preservation of soft tissue bearing fossils alongside traditional skeletons. As molecular methods advance, well‑conserved specimens could unveil the biological mechanisms underlying prehistoric diseases, ultimately guiding new strategies for human cancer treatment. This research marks a significant step toward decoding the deep evolutionary history of disease and points to the critical need for coordinated fossil conservation efforts.