Ecuadorian Dwarfs: Why Are They Immune To Cancer And Diabetes?

In the fight against cancer and diabetes, a community might have the key to eradicating them.

The Laron dwarfs of southern Ecuador appear to be fully immune to severe diseases caused by age and lifestyle. Scientists are developing a drug which they hope will do artificially what their genetic defect does naturally, and provide a protection against DNA damages that fuels cancer growth.

Around 100 members of the group are being studied by researchers from the University of Southern California, particularly Dr. Valter Longo and Dr. Jaime Guevara, who has been studying the Laron Dwarfs for 25 years.

The Laron dwarf syndrome causes mutations in the growth hormone receptor, which is the reason for their short stature. These mutations are what protect them from cancer and diabetes. The two-decade long study on the community revealed that none has ever had diabetes, and there has been only one case of cancer, which was not lethal.

In contrast, neighboring communities of normal-height relatives show similar lifestyle, but 5 percent had diabetes and 17 got cancer. Scientist believe that it is this fault in the growth hormone what prevents them from developing cancer - in ordinary human beings, too much of the hormone can lead to an early breast, prostate or bowel cancer.

Laron dwarfism is caused mainly by inbreeding, and out of the 300 people in the world with the syndrome, a third live in this remote region of Ecuador.

Researchers suggest that blocking growth hormone in full-grown adults can unlock the mystery of cancer. If it works, and does not show major side effects, societies in the future could live without major diseases. "It's the dream of every administration, anywhere in the world," Dr. Longo said. "You live a long, healthy life, and then you drop dead."