Cat cancer research may lead to better breast cancer treatments
New research highlights how studying cats could help improve breast cancer therapies for humans. Scientists, including Louise van der Weyden from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, found that cats and humans share similar cancer traits, especially in aggressive breast cancers. The study analyzed tumour samples from hundreds of domestic cats and identified genetic mutations also seen in human patients. Experts believe these findings could speed up the development of new treatments for both species.
Highlights
- The study found significant parallels between cancers in cats and humans, particularly in breast cancer.
- Researchers discovered that the gene FBXW7 is mutated in more than half of feline mammary tumours, making them aggressive, similar to rare cases in humans.
- Two chemotherapy treatments already approved for humans and animals showed promise against tumours with this mutation.
- Louise van der Weyden emphasized that testing drugs in cats could benefit both veterinary and human medicine.
- Harikrishna Nakshatri described the findings as “fascinating” and said they could deepen our understanding of cancer’s genetic and environmental triggers.
