In a large study published in the journal Science, researchers sequenced the genomes of 493 pairs of cat tumor and healthy tissue. The analysis covered 13 different tumor types and focused on the feline counterparts, or orthologs, of about 1,000 human cancer-related genes. The study identified 31 cancer-causing genes that were mutated in more than one sample. Five of these, including the classic human tumor suppressor genes TP53, PTEN, and FBXW7, were found to be cancer-causing in multiple tumor types, indicating a central role for these genes in tumor development.
The frequency of gene mutations was strikingly similar between the two species. The most frequently mutated gene, TP53, was altered in about 33 percent of all feline tumors analyzed, which is almost identical to the result of human cancer studies, where mutations in the same gene are found in 34 percent of cases. Similarly, 20 percent of the feline tumors in the study had a loss of the PTEN gene, while in human tumors this gene is absent in 25 percent of cases. These recurrent and overlapping associations create practical opportunities for a common understanding and treatment of human and feline cancers.
Application of human drugs in veterinary medicine
To see if human cancer drugs could also work in cats with cancer, the researchers tested chemotherapy drugs on three-dimensional cell cultures, or tumor models, of feline mammary cancer. The tests used widely known human chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine and vinorelbine. The experiments revealed that certain mutations in the FBXW7 gene made the feline tumor cells significantly more sensitive to these drugs. This result supports the researchers' hypothesis that already used human chemotherapy drugs could also bring direct benefits to pets.
The researchers hope that the results will provide a valuable source of information for veterinary oncologists and contribute to the advancement of precision medicine in cats and the development of individualized treatment strategies.
About the author
The article is based on a review written by Andrea Lius, PhD, a science writer. Andrea Lius is a freelance science writer who received her doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Washington in Seattle.
