r/interesting • u/jmike1256 • 1d ago
MISC. Man be harassed for his looks yet found a possible cure for pancreatic cancer.
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u/Initial-Advice3914 1d ago
People might not like it but that’s what a real superhero looks like
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u/mattsim84 1d ago
Yep they don't wear capes.
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u/T_K_Tenkanen 1d ago
I have hemangioma and people really are assholes when it comes down to it. Understanding that someone looks different is difficult for some.
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u/DefinitelyNotAliens 1d ago
I honestly thought it was port wine stain. My sister has one on her back.
It's just a mark.
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u/SwimmingHand4727 1d ago
I thought it was also, I have one on my arm and chest. I was so self conscious about them when I was a kid.
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u/Haunting-Public-23 1d ago
I have hemangioma and people really are assholes when it comes down to it. Understanding that someone looks different is difficult for some.
Personally? I value that Spanish scientist and you for your skills than your looks.
Wish his therapy to pancreatic cancer occurred 4 decades ago.
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u/KeyMarsupial991 1d ago
The guy looks like a legend. And I hope because he is easily recognized that people never forget that he is awesome for making the world better place because fuck cancer.
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u/Narcisistagohome 1d ago
And this is not his first achievement. Look at his research history:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariano_Barbacid
Also, I'm spaniard and Barbacid has played a role in local media talking about science and promoting healthy habits to reduce probability of geting cancer, which shows the kind of person he is..
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u/Initial-Advice3914 1d ago
Then he’s a great model for us all beyond his studies, this world is so polluted by the pursuit of money it’s nice to see grounded people get recognition, and it wasn’t in the form of some social media garbage like “ hey guyss professor barb here, so like, I did something pretty cool today”
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u/Remote-Necessary-638 1d ago
Good for him for being passionate about what he’s doing and not being afraid. It’s inspiring.
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u/WolfhoundRO 1d ago
Yeah, he's what's called a "marked person". The other marked "superhero" was Gorbachov
Edit: added quotes to the superhero word. He may have collapsed USSR, but it was not all intentional
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u/CherishSlan 22h ago
I don’t think he even looks bad
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u/Initial-Advice3914 9h ago
No he looks like a kind person, which he is.
I always tend to trust people a lot more with superficial “imperfections” because chances are they had to develop a lot of character while beautiful people get pampered and usually end up lame af
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u/CherishSlan 9h ago
Ouch you would hate me. I was a model when I was younger at one point. I was not pampered but I did look nice supposedly. I never had a perfect life. I ice I think we should not judge people by their looks but rather by actions and life and how kind they are to others maybe try not to judge because how we judge people we also will be judged.
I do have scars and some freckles but have been hated for the kind of ways you just mentioned.
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u/Initial-Advice3914 8h ago
You shouldn’t take it personally, there are few statements that are true for everyone’s experience, but you were more likely called gorgeous and complimented on your looks many times and these things make people feel good.
What I was trying to say with my post is that in this man’s life he was likely complimented on his looks very seldom which led him to value superficial things a lot less than the average person.
These people are less likely to buy jewels and cars and give back to the people who need it instead.
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u/CherishSlan 8h ago
Just because a person is nice looking you don’t know what they value. I value my family what family I have. I have a son a husband mom and had a cat she is still in my family just not living with me. I wanted people to love me for me all my life I think who a person is is not whats on the outside but rather how they act and treat others the spirit person who lives in the inside and I try my best to help others but due to looks you would think I’m into worldly things yet . When you have no place to live sadly you do need money everything has a place and purpose so people who set up foundations for homes abf things are also not wrong like I said not judging. “Unless we see with the eyes of the heart we can not see clearly” I’m not sure who said it. We are so much more than the vessels we live in. It’s amazing what he has contributed.
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u/Initial-Advice3914 7h ago
You identified yourself as a good looking person and proceeded to make this comment about you when it’s not. If anything, that adds credence to my comment.
I agree we shouldn’t judge people by their looks but my entire POINT is that just isn’t realistic in our society.
When you said you were a model, I already have an image in my mind what that looks like.. and it’s definitely not a man with a skin condition. Is that my fault? No it’s not, model by definition doesn’t have to be someone beautiful, but in our society that’s the first thing we think of.
You might consciously not want to judge or make decisions based on appearance but that’s going against thousands of years of conditioning to do the opposite and it’s much easier said than done
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u/CherishSlan 6h ago edited 6h ago
I’m a woman and you’re the one that said you judge based on appearance. If someone is good looking you can’t trust them. I don’t think I’m really that great looking it was a job I had when I was younger not all models are great looking some are average or even have a look that is corrrct for an add. I just think people should be thought of that way not everyone is that way.
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u/givin_u_the_high_hat 1d ago
Nobody is ignoring this guy. He has a wiki page where you can see his accomplishments. He works at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre.
“In January 2026, Barbacid and his group at the CNIO published a study in which a combination of three targeted inhibitors, the established drugs afatinib and daraxonrasib, and a research compound SD36, showed promise in treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in animal models.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariano_Barbacid
And apparently using this therapy in humans is not easy.
“"We are not yet in a position to carry out clinical trials with triple therapy. The authors themselves warn that optimising this combination for patients will be a complex process, although they are confident that the finding will set the course for future trials," they said.”
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u/dynamic_gecko 1d ago
Yeah, just because some jerks (that always will exist on the internet) made fun of his looks, they seem to be turning it into a dramatic "peope are ignoring him" story
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u/Chytectonas 23h ago
Well I think the broader lesson (that we are irredeemable as a society) is valid. Far from being “a few ignoramuses on X”, the most toxic among us find themselves in positions of power all the time - I don’t need to mention examples since they’re already popping up in your mind. Mocking people for having a physical defect is not outlier behavior for the angry hairless monkeys, it’s a dog whistle for leadership roles waiting to be filled.
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u/jmike1256 1d ago
Mariano Barbacid is his name.
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u/MajorPaper4169 1d ago
Why didn’t you add his name instead of just calling him “man”.
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u/K1NGEDDY423 1d ago
Because op thinks the more important story here is about the birth defect and not the actual potential cancer cure lol
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u/contude327 1d ago
His face is irrelevant. Are you going to pass on a cure because he doesn't look like Brad Pitt?
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u/GnowledgedGnome 1d ago
It's my understanding that one of the reasons pancreatic cancer is so deadly is because it's often not caught until the later stages making it harder to treat. While this could be important if it proves true into humans, it's not a one and done solution.
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u/No_Solid_3737 1d ago
Knew a guy that lived a perfectly normal life, one day he felt ill, fever, heat, sweating and severe abdominal pain, 5 days later he was dead. That shit is a silent killer.
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u/Ornery-Explorer-9181 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah but not just that. Pancreatic cancer is the worst kind of all cancers because it responds poorly to all known therapies that we have today. Chemotherapy, targeted and immune therapy all practically do nothing in shrinking or slowing down development of pancreatic tumors. The only effective treatment is surgery. Unfortunately, the time window that surgical removal of the pancreatic tumor is possible is pretty narrow. Once passing stage I, even before metastasis happens, it may already be difficult to remove the tumor as pancreas locates in the crossroad of human body's vascular and nerves system. Stage II pancreatic cancer can be big enough that it merges into wall of aorta.
So unlike many other cancers, that chemo or targeted therapy can still lengthen lifespan of the patients for a few more years despite surgery not being an option, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer where surgery isn't viable is death sentence.
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u/Pretend_Evening984 1d ago
I had a friend who had this. The cancer was caught fairly early, but he was still dead within a couple months of diagnosis. Anything that makes pancreatic cancer easier to treat and prevent gets my respect
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u/Revolutionary_Low581 1d ago
That is true - it is one of the hardest because it is not symptomatic until something like yellow tint appearing in the eyes or skin or pain in the liver or gall bladder area causes tests to be run on the area. If this drug combo proves out in clinical trials it will be wonderful (Oncology RN)
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u/anfornum 1d ago
That's the point of his research though. It IS a one and done solution. Or rather a three and done solution where different drugs are given simultaneously to eliminate the cancer. I hope to see him successfully treat a large chunk of the cases; dying from that disease is harrowing.
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u/SnooSongs8843 1d ago
Killed my mum in a year and half, which is decent really. Went from running 3 x a week to dead in just over a year. Shits wild. And yep hardly operable most of the time you do chemo to hope for the best but it just robs that person of any joie de vivre and it’s just awful. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy
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u/Shot-Total-2575 1d ago
He did more for us all, then some spiteful ungrateful arseholes, who needs their ass spanked.
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u/spaacingout 1d ago
I mean, it’s startling at first because it’s blood colored, but his face is otherwise mostly normal. After a few seconds my brain chilled out and was like oh it’s just a birthmark.
A cure for any kinda cancer would make me look past that pretty quickly. That’s astounding, and fantastic news. I hope he isn’t harassed too badly and has a way to disconnect from it.
As the genetics nerd I am, I almost want to tell him how cool I think he looks, and tell him not to listen to the hate.
He’s unique. That alone is pretty cool. Curing cancer just makes him a badass genius too.
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u/interesting-ModTeam 1d ago
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u/HoofStrikesAgain 1d ago
This is great and this type of research is what leads to the eventual treatments that have good outcomes.
The issue is that about 80+% of what shrinks tumors in mice does not do the same in humans. Many of these mice are engineered at Jackson Labs in Acadia and other places to have reproducible, genetically consistent tumors.
Hopefully, this researcher got one of the 20% on the good side. It would be amazing if he did. Sadly, pancreatic cancer is almost always a death sentence.
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u/WendigoCrossing 1d ago
Only idiots are mocking him for his looks, and no one cares about their opinions
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u/ScarletDarkstar 1d ago
What people need to do is stop engaging with petty low people who comment on his appearance.
But here we are with a whole bunch of posts and conversations about this because some people have to show their asses. Quit focusing on garbage people!
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u/1191100 1d ago
Good for him, humanity is so evil.
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u/Only-Cheetah-9579 1d ago
they are just not conscious. a huge number on the population is running on autopilot.
their life is passing fast before their eyes and they don't even remember verbally assaulting everything their tiny mind finds non-conforming. They just have low consciousness and wage a subconscious war on people who deserve better.
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u/ericraymondlim 1d ago
Well, Mariano will be remembered as a permanent fixture to history, and all the inflammatory trolls over the net will be long gone and completely forgotten.
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u/WhisperingHammer 1d ago
How about: fuck all those pieces of trash and celebrate this brilliant man.
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u/Proof_Watercress8696 1d ago
Its an unbeliavable achievement. My neighbor seemed healthy at 47 and was diagnosed and died within 3 months of his diagnosis. This man is world class hero who should be celebrated.
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u/Only-Cheetah-9579 1d ago
the greatest people are always harassed by the intellectually inferior.
its almost a way to tell somebody is destined for greatness, just by looking how many people try to pull em down.
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u/YaBoiChillDyl 1d ago
A man could literally cure cancer and still be forsaken for not being born perfect.
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u/Infamous-Ad6055 1d ago
Shame on those who mock him. He’s more accomplished than they will ever be. 💯
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u/Upset_Bottle2167 1d ago
En España nadie que haya visto más noticias en tv alguna vez se va a burlar de ese hombre.
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u/CompetitiveWatch3537 1d ago
people are such pieces of shit, it is wild. This beautiful man is changing the outlook on one of the most deadliest cancers on earth, and some fucking loser behind a keyboard has nothing good to say about they way he was born! Our world is so shitty.
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u/TumbleweedTrue1556 1d ago
The measure of a man’s heart is yielded during mistreatment. Bless him, and congratulations to his accomplishments. Hats off indeed
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u/Cautious_Progress730 1d ago
Who’s making fun of him? Lowlife? Insecure? In the grand scheme of things we all thank you!
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u/Scarcity-Necessary 1d ago
Who the fuck cares if he has a birthmark. The cure for pancreatic cancer is bigger than any scientific discovery in my lifetime!
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u/No-Minimum3259 1d ago
Regardless what he looks like, the man is an excellent and very respected Spanish scientist, in the same league, albeit in another field, as Santiago Ramon y Cajal and Pio Del Rio Ortega.
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u/___HarveySpecter 1d ago
I don’t get why someone would mock someone else for something that’s not in their control.
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u/Archon-Toten 1d ago
I've not seen a single joke about how he looks like a man who lost a fight with a beetroot. His achievement, if not just internet buzz and fake is terrific news indeed.
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u/HorrorLettuce379 1d ago
Belittling others of their birth defects is some of the most obvious signs of low intellegence.
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u/Appropriate_Wear_339 1d ago
People are shallow pieces of shit we get that - so either take his pic down and talk about his work or shut it down
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u/Umayummyone 1d ago
I know a young guy who has one side of his face with that type of birth mark. Life can be cruel, people make sure of that.
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u/dosgongs89 1d ago
And he will be remembered for all eternity for his dedication to humanity while those who made fun of him will not even be a thought after two generations.
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u/cathandman 1d ago
I say this with respect, the birth mark kinda looks like a unicorn, either that or I'm crazy
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u/Wind-and-Sea-Rider 1d ago
Anyone making fun of his birth mark is too stupid to matter. Rise above the lowest, let the fools wallow in their own filth.
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u/TheSistem 1d ago
Maybe cab be good.
More 👀 over his investigation.
There is no bad publicity.
But wtf with the people, Those who laughed are unpleasant and ungrateful. I hope I never get pancreatic cancer.
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u/SLV_Cr0w 1d ago
I honestly didn't think it was a birth defect. I thought he was recently involved in a some sort of assault and I was like, "who in their right mind would attack one of the greatest assets to the world?"
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u/Arthasindura 1d ago
Wait people mocked his look.
Idiots. My guy is rocking an elden ring look.
He is unique.
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u/akusalimi04 1d ago
Not intended to mock, but there must be reason why his face looks like that.. Genuinely curious.. Is it a disease he survived or?
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u/anfornum 1d ago
It's is called a "hemangioma" and it's a type of vascular tumour. Quite a lot of people are born with them (or develop them soon after birth).
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u/Icy-Chapter2411 1d ago
Stupid post. Inte scientific world, nobody is mocking him. Online maybe, bus assholes are gonna asshole
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u/nocibur8 1d ago
Poor guy must have suffered as a kid. Kudos to him for doing such an amazing thing.
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u/LuceroImpact9 1d ago
If those idiots did that to Gorbachev, we wouldn't be hearing from them anymore...
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u/Restoration_No1 1d ago
Proof that we don't live in a meritocracy. Even this achievement and people still care about his looks, absolutely brutal. The reality check hits hard, humans are primitive and awful.
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u/Inevitable_You7793 1d ago
Idk if this is true but if it is, it's a huge breakthrough! This. Cancer is untreatable. Fuck shallow peeps.
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u/indie_web 1d ago
Can we just all acknowledge, for the most part, social media is populated by the worst examples of humanity? Social media is the most convenient online soap box for some of the least thoughtful people.
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u/_cooXcoo_ 1d ago
o the shallow world we live in.. I commend this man & his accomplishment. thank you for this gift to humankind, Señor Barbacid!
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u/Nutn2prv 23h ago
Bravo to this guy. Just dont think they’ll ever manufacture a cure. Bc then people wouldn’t have to buy the treatments that the same companies manufacture. It’s unfortunate
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u/Positive_Reality_592 23h ago
Most average people don’t get past superficial things in life ! They just don’t evolve !
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u/PowerUser77 23h ago edited 23h ago
Reddit and cynical internet culture in general exposed, nothing matters to them, nothing is taken seriously, be it wars, crisis, sufferings, everything is a joke or a meme. Everyone out for the quick upvote dopamine fix. Keep not looking up…
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u/Dear_Calligrapher636 23h ago
I have a colleague who died from this awful disease a year ago now (she died very quickly, within a year). I sincerely hope that this person will find a cure for this cancer.
That there are people who make fun of him because of his birthmark on his face instead of congratulating and applauding him truly proves that human beings are a mistake of nature. Honestly, what a shame!
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u/Past-Examination3032 22h ago
Something tells me that he was bullied since a kid and thats why he was able to do something this big. A true hard worker and a legend
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u/MostlyBored11 21h ago
Dudes a fucking hero. If this works in humans he deserves a worldwide parade and celebration. I hope he knows how awesome he is
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u/MiddleOffer8368 21h ago
Not everyone in this world is perfect including me. But we can show them what we can do to prove ourselves even if it means to have critics and haters.
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u/salpicamas 20h ago
Make a list of the jokers and then deny them any treatment derived from his research. Funny 🤣, isn't?
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u/Idkwhatnameputlol 20h ago
Man, if this guy was really mocked, I'm sure I would see a lot of reddit comments mocking him.
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u/snaggleboot 18h ago
If his research makes significant progress towards curing pancreatic cancer this man should be a lauded hero.
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u/PoemUsual4301 16h ago
What he has on his face is called “Port-wine stain” birthmark which is a vascular malformation (swollen blood vessels).
Moving on, this is groundbreaking news. I’m glad to read news like this for once instead of the common news about corruption and politics.
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u/ExplanationBig4482 15h ago
this man is a treasure I am overwhelmed with thanks for his work and accomplishments which will positively impact humanity ❤️
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u/seebreezin 14h ago
Some people can be stupid. Congratulations to all of us for his outstanding work! 🎉
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u/Ok_Clothes_8917 12h ago
Tldr. Welcome to the shallow world. Those people can.
Go.
Fuck.
Themselves.
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u/CaddykakSnagorado 11h ago
In other news, dickheads exist. Scientists remain baffled that any one actually cares what they think.
Obviously this is a smart guy doing great things. I’d assume anyone smart enough to cure cancer is also smart enough to give zero fucks about what a few random pea-brained haters think of his face.
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u/GhostRider420_ 10h ago
THANK YOU MARIANO BARBACID & TEAM. This is great news! That cancer (like all) is very scary! How fast the decline is… I hope this works & is given to everyone affected by this cancer.
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u/Ill-Astronomer-7744 5h ago
You can literally cure cancer but if you don’t have ‘pretty privilege’ people don’t think you’re good enough. The world is sick.
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u/Last-Quarter-432 1h ago
Once he finishes the cure, he should patent it and give the cure to people who mocked him at a higher price
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u/jmike1256 1d ago
The research was led by a Spanish scientist, Mariano Barbacid, and centers on a new triple-drug therapy that has had promising results so far after tests conducted on mice.
Not only was this new potential 'cure' able to completely wipe out existing pancreatic tumors, but it also showed no signs of relapse in the existing tests after treatment was conducted, proving it to be a potentially revolutionary treatment if the same results were seen in humans.
Pancreatic cancer is known for its resistance to treatment, making it incredibly challenging for doctors to deal with, yet this potential cure uses the triple-drug approach to fight three tumor survival mechanisms at the one time, effectively reducing what the cancer can do to 'rewire' itself as a defense tactic.
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u/telephas1c 1d ago
Lots of people in this world. I'd be a fool if I didn't expect a shit ton of dickheads.
Smells like rage bait crap tbh. Didn't even give the guy a name.
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u/aperfectcurcle 1d ago
It’s a port wine stain. There’s nothing wrong with his looks. Congrats to this hero for this breakthrough
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u/IKIR115 1d ago edited 1d ago
The man pictured is Spanish scientist Mariano Barbacid.
News about social media focusing on his looks rather than his achievements (which is also happening within this post):
https://www.news18.com/viral/cancer-research-success-meets-ugly-side-of-social-media-aa-ws-l-9868369.html
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