A major new study suggests that household cats may hold important clues for understanding cancer, including breast cancer in humans.
By examining tumors from nearly 500 pet cats across several countries, scientists have discovered genetic changes that drive cancer in cats — and many of these changes closely resemble those found in human cancers.
The research, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute and international partners, is the first large-scale effort to map the genetics of multiple cancer types in domestic cats.
The findings, published in Science, could help doctors and veterinarians develop better treatments for both people and animals.
Cats share our homes, environments, and sometimes even our lifestyles.
This means they are exposed to many of the same cancer risks as humans, such as pollution, chemicals, and diet. Researchers believe that studying cancer in cats can reveal how these shared factors contribute to disease.
Using tissue samples that had been collected by veterinarians for diagnosis, the scientists analyzed DNA from tumors and healthy tissues. They looked for about 1,000 genes known to be linked to cancer in humans and compared the results across 13 different types of feline cancer. In many cases, the genetic changes that caused cancer in cats were strikingly similar to those seen in people.
One of the most important discoveries involved feline mammary cancer, a common and aggressive disease in cats that closely resembles human breast cancer. Researchers identified several “driver genes” that trigger tumor growth when altered. The most frequent was a gene called FBXW7, which was changed in more than half of the cat tumors studied. In humans, mutations in the same gene are linked to more severe breast cancer, suggesting a shared biological pathway.
Another commonly altered gene, PIK3CA, appeared in nearly half of the feline mammary tumors. This gene is also frequently mutated in human breast cancer and is already targeted by certain cancer drugs. In laboratory tests using cat tumor samples, some chemotherapy treatments were especially effective against cancers with these genetic changes, raising hopes for therapies that could benefit both species.
Similar genetic overlaps were found in cancers affecting the blood, bones, lungs, skin, digestive system, and brain. Scientists say these parallels open the door to a “One Medicine” approach, where knowledge from human and veterinary medicine flows both ways. Treatments developed for people could be tested in cats, while discoveries from feline studies could guide human clinical trials.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of illness and death in cats, yet until now very little was known about how it develops genetically. This study has created a valuable resource for future research, helping scientists better understand why cancer occurs and how it might be prevented or treated.
Experts say the findings highlight the importance of studying diseases across species. By learning from animals that share our environments, researchers may uncover new strategies to fight cancer more effectively. For pet owners, it is a reminder that the animals living beside us may contribute to medical breakthroughs that benefit everyone.
In the future, insights gained from cats could lead to more precise treatments, earlier diagnosis, and improved outcomes for both feline patients and people facing cancer.
Source: KSR.
