A new study is offering a potentially groundbreaking perspective on cancer research: insights gleaned from our feline companions could hold keys to understanding and treating the disease in humans. Researchers have discovered striking genetic similarities between cancers in cats and those in people, opening avenues for new therapeutic strategies for both species.
The research, published on in the journal Science, involved sequencing the genomes of tumors from nearly 500 domestic cats. The international team, comprised of experts in veterinary medicine, human medicine, and genomics, identified key parallels in the genetic mutations that drive cancer development in cats and humans. This finding is particularly significant given that cancer is a leading cause of death for both pets and people.
“By comparing cancer genomics across different species, we gain a greater understanding of what causes cancer,” explained Bailey Francis, co-first author at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. He added that the genetic changes observed in cat cancers closely mirrored those seen in humans and dogs, suggesting shared biological mechanisms at play. “This could help experts in the veterinary field as well as those studying cancer in humans, showing that when knowledge and data flows between different disciplines, You can all benefit.”
The study examined 13 distinct types of tumors originating from various parts of the cat’s body, including skin, bones, tissue, and blood. Researchers focused on approximately 1,000 genes known to be associated with cancer in humans, allowing for a direct comparison of genetic alterations. They pinpointed 31 driver genes – genes whose mutations are known to promote cancer development – that are common across species.
One gene, TP53, stood out as being frequently mutated in feline tumors, appearing in 33 percent of all cases. This rate is remarkably similar to the 34 percent observed in human cancers. TP53 is a crucial tumor suppressor gene, and its inactivation through mutation is a common pathway for cancer development.
Breast Cancer: A Shared Challenge
The study revealed particularly strong parallels between feline mammary carcinoma (breast cancer) and human breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and mammary carcinoma is a frequent malignancy in female cats. The researchers found that both species share driver genes that regulate cell growth. When these genes are mutated, they can lead to uncontrolled tumor growth and spread.
Specifically, the gene FBXW7 was frequently altered in cat mammary tumors, present in over 50 percent of cases. In humans, mutations in FBXW7 are associated with a poorer prognosis. This finding suggests that FBXW7 could be a valuable target for therapeutic intervention in both feline and human breast cancer.
The availability of a large collection of donated tissue samples was instrumental in the study’s success. “Having access to such a large set of donated tissues allowed us to assess drug responses across tumor types in a way that hasn’t been possible at this scale before,” said Sven Rottenberg, co-senior author of the study at the University of Bern in Switzerland. He believes this research can serve as a tool to identify potential new therapeutic options that could benefit both cats and humans.
The implications of this research extend beyond simply identifying shared genetic drivers. The study also suggests that cats could serve as a valuable model for studying certain types of human cancer, particularly those that are difficult to study in humans directly. For example, cats develop triple-negative breast cancer more frequently than humans, providing researchers with a readily available source of samples to investigate this aggressive form of the disease.
Approximately 26 percent of European households, roughly 139 million homes, include at least one cat, according to data from the European Pet Industry Federation. This widespread pet ownership underscores the potential public health impact of this research. Because pet cats are exposed to similar environmental factors as their owners, studying cancer in cats may also shed light on the environmental contributions to cancer development in humans.
While the study represents a significant step forward in understanding the genetic basis of cancer, researchers emphasize that further investigation is needed. Identifying shared genetic drivers is only the first step; translating these findings into effective therapies will require extensive research and clinical trials. However, the parallels observed in this study offer a promising new avenue for cancer research, highlighting the potential for a “One Health” approach – recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health – to accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.
