While this rare communicable cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) threatens to wipe out the iconic Tasmanian Devil. Researchers now believe they may have found hope to keep this unique animal from facing extinction.

It could be a major breakthrough and it is described as the most exciting development to date. What's all the fuss about? It's all about a Devil named Cedric which is the only devil to show an immune response to DFTD.

Cedric comes from the west coast region of the state which is currently disease free. It is believed that Devils in this region may have a different genetic makeup or major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This means they may have a natural immune response to the DFTD disease which is lacking in devils in the East of the state in which MHC is so similar to the disease that it does not recognise it as foreign and does not produce anibodies to fight it.

This seems to be the case with Cedric. Nine months ago Cedric and his half brother Clinky were injected with dead DFTD cells. Cedric produced antibodies while Clinky did not.

Cedric and Clinky have the same mother, yet different fathers. The difference between the two devils is their MHC. Clinky's MHC like most devils so similar to the disease and is not recognising it as an invader whereas Cedric is different and his immune system did respond.

This could mean that the Tasmanian Devil may be it's own saviour.

Two months ago, the half-brothers were injected with live DFTD cells. If Cedric remains healthy, while Clinky contracts the disease, this would suggest that devils with Cedric's MHC are DFTD-resistant or capable of responding to a vaccine.

It's going to be a long wait and nervous wait for researchers including Dr Woods, associate professor of immunology at the university's Menzies Research Institute. The incubation period for the disease is about six months and everything is hanging on this one Devil named Cedric.

Story by
Debbie Thoy

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