A pet-trade color morph of the leopard gecko that frequently develops aggressive tumors could offer researchers a new way to study how cancers form and spread. Scientists at the University of Nottingham report that tumors in the so-called “lemon frost” morph share genetic changes seen in human cancers.
A colorful leopard gecko known in the pet trade as the “lemon frost” morph—bred for its white-and-yellow coloration—may become a useful model for studying cancer, after researchers found that its naturally arising tumors carry genetic alterations also implicated in human disease.
The study, led by the University of Nottingham and published in BMC Biology, examined tumors from lemon frost geckos and compared them with healthy tissue from the same animals using whole-genome sequencing. The researchers reported a recurring set of genetic changes across tumors, including genes and biological pathways that have previously been linked to cancers in humans and other animals.
According to the University of Nottingham-led team, cancer risk differs widely among reptiles, and the lemon frost morph stands out for a high tumor rate: about 80% of individuals develop aggressive tumors. The scientists said these tumors often spread to other parts of the body, making the animals potentially valuable for observing how cancers develop and metastasize under natural conditions.
Dr. Ylenia Chiari, who led the research, said studying species that are unusually susceptible to cancer—alongside those that appear resistant—could help scientists identify strategies that might improve prevention, detection, and treatment in people.
Brandon Hastings, a doctoral researcher involved in the study, said the work illustrates the value of looking beyond traditional laboratory models and adapting analytical tools developed for human cancer genomics to other organisms. Dr. Scott Glaberman, a co-author from the University of Birmingham, said the findings also underscore the broader scientific value of biodiversity, arguing that a wider range of species can offer clues relevant to human health.
