Cats could hold the key to understanding breast cancer
How pet cats could help develop human cancer therapies
- A new study has revealed that the genetic changes driving cancer formation in household cats are remarkably similar to those observed in humans.
- Scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Ontario Veterinary College, and the University of Bern analysed tumours from nearly 500 pet cats across five countries to identify these genetic similarities.
- The research found parallels between feline mammary cancers and human breast cancers, specifically identifying common driver genes such as FBXW7 and PIK3CA.
- Changes in the FBXW7 gene in cat mammary tumours, also present in human breast cancer, were linked to a worse prognosis, mirroring observations in humans.
- These findings suggest a significant potential for developing new therapies applicable to both cats with mammary carcinoma and human breast cancer patients, while also enhancing understanding of shared environmental cancer risks.
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