Print text only Cancel A team of Spanish and Australian scientists have discovered drugs used to help humans could be successful in treating Tasmanian devils suffering from the deadly facial tumour disease. Key points: Spanish researchers say drugs used to lower cholesterol in humans could be successful in treating Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease The researchers discovered that tumour cells require a minimum amount of cholesterol to multiply Lead researcher Dr Maria Ikonomopoulou says the next stage would be to test the drug on diseased animals It is hoped the breakthrough could help delay the spread of the tumour and help protect the endangered marsupials from extinction.