At the border between science and nature, in the harsh Antarctic icy deserts, scientists have discovered an unexpected ally in the fight against cancer. Polytrichastrum alpinum – a moss that would be a mistake to call 'humble'. It is one of the tallest representatives of the moss family, growing up to 15–20 centimeters. Having survived extreme conditions of cold and ultraviolet radiation, the plant had to synthesize powerful protective compounds. Recently, an international team of researchers discovered that these same substances are capable of fighting one of humanity's most dangerous diseases.
The study was conducted by specialists from the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) in collaboration with scientists from Chonnam National University. KOPRI, established in 2004, is South Korea's leading scientific institution for Antarctic and Arctic research. The working group included biologists and veterinary oncologists: Kim Hoa Phi, Minseo Kim, Hyunsuk Lee, Sang-Ik Park, and their colleagues. Polar biologists collected samples of Antarctic moss, and veterinary oncology specialists tested it on cell cultures of canine mammary cancer – a model considered one of the most representative for understanding mammalian oncology.
The results, published in the journal Genes & Genomics (2026), showed a striking effect of the moss's alcohol extract on cancer cells. The extract significantly reduced the viability of tumor cells and substantially limited their ability to migrate and invade neighboring tissues. At the molecular level, substances from the plant initiated cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis – the process of programmed cell death of tumor cells, including the activation of caspase-3, a key marker of the apoptotic pathway. An important feature was the selectivity of action: the extract acted primarily on the affected structures, causing almost no damage to healthy epithelial cells.
The choice of the study model – canine mammary cancer cells – was not accidental. Malignant neoplasms in dogs develop through mechanisms similar to human tumors, making such experiments invaluable for finding new therapeutic approaches. The study authors are continuing their collaborative work, clarifying the biochemical composition of the active extract and identifying the specific molecular compounds responsible for the anti-tumor effect.
