New research indicates that cancer in pet cats shares significant genetic drivers with human cancers, suggesting that insights gained from studying one species could benefit the other.
The study, which examined approximately 500 pet cats across seven countries, found that genetic changes in feline tumors closely match those observed in human and dog cancers. This comparative genomics approach identified 31 key driver genes involved in cancer development.
Notably, the TP53 gene, a critical tumor suppressor, was found to be mutated in 33 percent of feline tumors, a rate mirroring the 34 percent seen in human cancers. This malfunction allows tumors to grow and spread unchecked.
Researchers also identified parallels between feline mammary cancers and human breast cancers, both of which are common and share driver genes that regulate cell growth. The FBXW7 gene, implicated in tumor progression and associated with poorer prognosis in humans, showed alterations in over 50 percent of feline mammary tumors.
These findings offer a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic options applicable to both veterinary and human oncology, potentially accelerating clinical treatments.