Elephants are indeed less prone to cancer because they have multiple copies of genes, especially around 20 copies of the p53 gene, far more than the single copy found in humans. These extra p53 genes can effectively identify and repair damaged DNA. If DNA damage cannot be repaired, the extra p53 genes will cooperate with a gene called LIF6 to trigger the death program of the damaged cells, preventing the formation of cancer cells.
The p53 gene plays the role of a tumor suppressor in the body, recognizing damaged DNA and causing cells to self-destruct when they are unable to repair themselves. Elephants have multiple copies of the p53 gene, meaning they have a greater chance of detecting cellular abnormalities.
When the p53 gene recognizes DNA that cannot be repaired, it activates another gene called LIF6. The LIF6 gene produces a protein that enters the mitochondria of the damaged cell, causing cell death to prevent cancer.
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