Is it true that some kinds of tropical fish are immune to cancer?

Question

My aunt was telling me she was visiting Mote's in Sarasota and they were doing cancer research on sharks and angelfish because cancer cells don't grow in them.

Answer 1

All species of sharks are immune to cancer and tropical fish. They have a natural protein in them that makes them immune.

Answer 2

To correct Red Dragon: Sharks are not completely immune to cancer, but they rarely get it.

and this is not because of a special protein. sharks have skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone, and through recent studies, scientists have discovered that cancer doesn't grow well on cartilage. we're not sure why yet, but they are starting to look at the properties of cartilage to try to see what deters the cancer from growing in order to try to develop a cure.

so in short: no sharks are immune to cancer, but they almost never get it because of their cartilage. this is true of all cartilaginous fish.

hope that helps!