Cat Cancer Code Cracked: Human Disease Clues Found

Scientists have developed the first detailed genetic map of cancer in domestic cats, uncovering surprising parallels with human cancers. Analysis of tumor DNA from nearly 500 cats revealed specific genetic mutations driving the disease that are also implicated in human cancers.

This discovery suggests that cats and humans share fundamental biological processes that promote tumor growth and spread. The research, published in the journal Science, highlights that cats may provide crucial insights into certain human cancers, including triple negative breast cancer, a subtype that affects humans less frequently.

Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute led an international team examining over 1,000 genes across 13 types of feline cancer. They found that many of the genes driving these feline cancers are mirrored in human cancers. This opens up new avenues for research into environmental factors that might influence cancer risk in both species.

The study emphasizes the potential of cats as models for understanding cancer, similar to how dogs have been studied. As a popular pet, particularly in the UK where almost a quarter of households own one, cats share living spaces and are exposed to the same environmental factors as humans. This shared exposure could be vital in understanding cancer development and finding new preventive and treatment strategies.