Scientists Study 500 Cats What They Learned Could Help Treat Cancer
Scientists have discovered similarities between feline mammary cancers and human breast cancers that could potentially lead to a cure for both.
Scientists have discovered similarities between feline mammary cancers and human breast cancers that could potentially lead to a cure for both.
Despite cancer being one of the leading causes of illness and death in cats, little was known about its genetics until now.
In their study, experts from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Ontario Veterinary College in Canada, University of Bern, and their collaborators identified genetic changes that could help treat the condition not only in cats but also in humans.
Researchers analyzed nearly 500 pet cats across five countries to compare genetic changes with those seen in humans. By sequencing DNA from tissue samples that had already been collected by veterinarians for diagnostic purposes, the team found that, for certain types, the genetic changes driving cancer development in domestic cats are similar to those observed in humans.
“Our household pets share the same spaces as us, meaning they are exposed to the same environmental factors,” said Professor Geoffrey Wood from Ontario Veterinary College, Canada, in a statement.
“This can help us understand more about why cancer develops in cats and humans, how the world around us influences cancer risk, and possibly find new ways to prevent and treat it.”
In the new study the first to genetically profile cat cancer tumors at scale researchers looked for around 1,000 human cancer-associated genes in both tumors and healthy tissue samples, including 13 different types of cat cancer. They then compared the genetic changes to those seen in human and dog cancers.
“By comparing cancer genomics across different species, we gain a greater understanding of what causes cancer. One of our major findings was that the genetic changes in cat cancer are similar to some seen in humans and dogs,” said paper author Bailey Francis of the Wellcome Sanger Institute in a statement.
“This could help experts in the veterinary field as well as those studying cancer in humans, showing that when knowledge and data flow between different disciplines, we can all benefit.”
The study identified seven driver genes, whose mutations led to the development of cancer. The most common driver gene was FBXW7, with over 50 percent of the cat tumors showing a change in this gene. In humans, changes in the FBXW7 gene in breast cancer tumors are associated with a worse prognosis.
Another significant finding of this study was that certain chemotherapy drugs were more effective in cat mammary tumors with changes in the FBXW7 gene.
While this research was conducted in tissue samples only, which means it requires further investigation, it may offer a potential avenue to cure both cats with mammary carcinoma and human breast cancer patients.
The second most common driver gene identified in the study was PIK3CA, found in 47 percent of cat mammary carcinoma tumors—a genetic change also found in human breast cancer, where it is treated with PI3K inhibitors.
Other similarities to human driver mutations were observed across blood, bone, lung, skin, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system tumors.
Researchers now suggest that successful therapeutic approaches in humans could be trialed in cats. This is known as the “One Medicine” approach, which promotes the two-way flow of data and knowledge between medical and veterinary disciplines to benefit both human and animal health.
Dr. Louise Van Der Weyden, senior author at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said, “This is one of the biggest ever developments in feline oncology and means the genetics of domestic cat tumors are no longer a ‘black box.’"
“We can now begin to take the next steps forward 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.”
Source :
Articles in this category are written by our editorial team to keep you informed about the latest healthcare and medical tourism news.
