Scientists have finally cracked the genetic code behind cat cancers after finishing one of the biggest studies ever done on pet tumors.
The work, printed in Science, is the first time researchers have mapped many cat cancers at the DNA level. The results could help us learn more about cancer in both pets and people and give other scientists a free data set to explore.
Cancer kills many cats, but we have known little about the DNA changes that cause it. This new research changes that.
Cat Tumors Share Human Cancer Genes
Scientists looked at tumor pieces from almost 500 cats in five countries. They searched for DNA mutations that drive cancer and found lots of the same genes that are important in human and dog cancers.
One key discovery was a gene called FBXW7. More than half of the cat breast tumors had changes in this gene. In people, FBXW7 mutations are linked to worse outcomes in breast cancer, just like in cats.
The team also saw matching gene changes in cat cancers of the blood, bones, lungs, skin, gut, and brain. Because cats live with us, shared environment may explain some of the similarities.
"Studying cat cancers helps us see why cancer starts in both animals and humans, how our surroundings affect risk, and maybe how to stop or treat it," said lead researcher Wood.
Chemo Findings Give Hope
When scientists tested common chemotherapy drugs on cat breast tumor samples with the FBXW7 mutation, the drugs worked better. This was only seen in lab tests, but it hints at new ways to fight breast cancer in both cats and people.
"When knowledge moves between fields, everyone wins," the authors noted.
One Medicine Links Human and Animal Health
Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Guelph, the University of Bern and other groups joined forces. They used DNA that veterinarians had already collected for diagnosis.
The study suggests that some treatments used for humans could one day be tried in cats, and that lessons from cat trials might guide future human studies. This teamwork is called the "One Medicine" approach – sharing ideas to improve health for all species.
"We can now move toward precise cancer care for cats, catch up with dogs, and maybe someday help humans too," the team said.
The project was funded by the EveryCat Health Foundation, CVS Group, Wellcome, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.