Scientists have completed one of the largest genetic studies ever done on tumors in domestic cats, offering a new understanding of how feline cancers develop.
The research, published in Science, is the first major effort to genetically profile cancers in cats on a large scale. Experts believe the findings could improve cancer research for both pets and people, while also creating an important open resource for future studies.
Cancer is one of the main causes of illness and death in cats, yet until now, researchers knew relatively little about the genetic mutations behind many feline tumors.
Dr. Geoffrey Wood, a professor of pathobiology at the University of Guelph and co-senior author of the study, said that although cats are among the most common household pets, the genetics of their cancers had remained poorly understood.
For the study, researchers analyzed tumor samples from nearly 500 domestic cats collected in five countries. They looked for genetic changes linked to cancer development and found that many of the same cancer-driving genes seen in humans and dogs also appear in cats.
One of the most important discoveries involved feline mammary tumors, which can be aggressive. The gene most often altered in these tumors was FBXW7, with mutations found in more than half of the cases studied.
This is especially significant because FBXW7 mutations in human breast cancer are linked to worse outcomes. Researchers saw a similar pattern in cats, suggesting that feline mammary cancer may help scientists better understand some forms of human breast cancer.
The team also found genetic similarities between cat and human cancers affecting the blood, bones, lungs, skin, digestive system and central nervous system.
Because cats often live in the same homes and environments as their owners, researchers believe studying feline cancer may also reveal how shared environmental factors influence cancer risk.
The study produced another promising finding: some chemotherapy drugs appeared to work better on cat mammary tumors carrying the mutated FBXW7 gene. These results were seen in tissue samples, so more research is needed, but scientists say the discovery could eventually help guide new treatment strategies for both animals and humans.
Dr. Sven Rottenberg from the University of Bern said the large collection of donated tissue samples allowed researchers to compare drug responses across tumor types in a way that had not previously been possible at this scale.
The project brought together scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, the University of Bern and other institutions. The team used DNA from tissue samples that veterinarians had originally collected for diagnostic purposes.
The findings support a “One Medicine” approach, which connects human and veterinary medicine. This idea recognizes that studying disease across species can lead to benefits for both animals and people.
In the future, treatments already used in human cancer care could potentially be tested in cats. At the same time, cancer trials involving cats could provide information that helps shape human medical research.
Researchers say the study could also help advance precision oncology for cats, giving veterinarians better tools to diagnose and treat feline cancer. Dogs already have more developed cancer testing and treatment options, and scientists hope cats will eventually benefit from similar progress.
Overall, the research shows that cat cancers are far from mysterious. By studying their genetics, scientists are opening new paths for better treatments, improved prevention and deeper understanding of cancer across species.