Shared cancer genetics discovered
New study of nearly five hundred cats reveals genetic links to human cancer
Anonymous
An international study published in Science analyzed tumors from nearly 500 cats across five countries, mapping genetic changes that drive feline cancers and creating a resource for future research. Many of the driver genes identified also appear in human cancers, including mutations in FBXW7 in more than half of the feline mammary tumors studied; the same gene is linked to poorer outcomes in human breast cancer. The researchers also found genetic similarities across cancers affecting the blood, bones, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal system and brain. Laboratory tests suggested that tumors with mutated FBXW7 may be more vulnerable to certain targeted chemotherapy drugs, though the findings have not yet been tested as treatments in patients. Because cats develop cancer naturally and share environments with people, the results could support improved care for cats and help guide research into human cancer prevention and treatment.
Key Points
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Researchers said cats’ exposure to real-world hazards shared with people—including secondhand smoke and household pollutants—makes them useful for studying how environmental conditions may influence cancer risk.
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The study found that many feline cancer driver genes are also implicated in dog cancers, extending the genetic overlap beyond the human-cat comparisons highlighted in the summary.
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Cancer is one of the leading causes of illness and death in cats, but researchers have historically known much less about the genetic changes behind feline tumors than those behind human or canine cancers.
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The international research effort involved scientists from Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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