Study of Nearly 500 Cats Finds Shared Cancer Genes With Humans

2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 30

Nearly 500 domestic cats showed cancer-gene mutations that overlap with human tumors, giving researchers a new basis to study treatments across both species.
FBXW7 stood out as a key shared mutation: it was frequently altered in feline mammary tumors and is tied to poorer outcomes in human breast cancer.
Researchers screened about 1,000 cat genes equivalent to human cancer genes and also found overlaps in blood, bone, lung, skin, gastrointestinal and central nervous system cancers.
The study also found chemotherapy drug vincristine was effective against cats' mammary tumors, offering a starting point for veterinary clinical trials and drug development.
Cats may be especially useful models because they share more genetic code with humans than many mammals and often live in the same environments, though outside experts said treatment applications remain an early first step.

As a new cancer drug trial succeeds, could the secret to its success actually lie within our cats' DNA?

Could your pet's DNA unlock the next generation of human cancer treatments and reveal hidden risks in our homes?