Scientists find genetic links between feline and human cancer
Researchers made significant discoveries about aggressive mammary cancer.
Researchers have discovered surprising genetic links between feline cancer and cancer affecting humans and dogs.
In what has been described as a ‘landmark’ study, scientists have discovered similarities which could inform future cancer treatment for pets and humans.
The international project saw researchers analyse nearly 500 cat tumours, with 13 different tumour types, from five countries. There was a particular interest in One Health implications, with a focus on the orthologs of human genes related to cancer.
Researchers examined the genetic mutations which were involved in the development of tumours, identifying many of the same cancer-driving genes in human and dog cancers.
Most significantly, researchers have made discoveries about the mutations linked with aggressive mammary cancers in cats.
The gene which was most frequently in these tumours was FBXW7. Mutations of this gene appeared in nearly half of the tumours studied.
This finding was similar to that of human breast cancer, where mutations of FBXW7 are linked with poorer outcomes.
This was not the only type of cancer to have links between feline and human patients. Researchers also identified similarities in cancers affecting the blood, bones, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.
This has now raised further questions about the causes of these cancers. Since cats often share the same environments as owners, researchers theorise that some cancer risks might stem from common environmental exposures.
Researchers were also encouraged after finding some chemotherapy drugs worked better in cat mammary tumours which carried a mutated FBXW7 gene. While it was only seen in tissue samples, the discovery could mean new treatment possibilities for animals and humans.
Dr Sven Rottenberg, co-senior author at the University of Bern, said: "Having access to such a large set of donated tissues allowed us to assess drug responses across tumour types, in a way that hasn't been possible at this scale before."
The findings are expected to have significant clinical benefits for both cats and humans.
Treatments that are currently used for humans may eventually be tested for feline cancers. Meanwhile information from cancer trials involving domestic cats may guide future human clinical research.
Dr Louise Van Der Weyden, a senior author from Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: "We can now begin to take the next steps forwards towards precision feline oncology, to catch up with the diagnostic and therapeutic options that are available for dogs with cancer, and ultimately one day, humans."
The full study can be found in the journal Science.
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