The first large-scale analysis of multiple types of cancer in cats has revealed genetic changes that could guide new treatments for both animals and humans.
Researchers examined tumors taken from about 500 pet cats from five countries. The study involved scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Canada’s Ontario Veterinary College, the University of Bern, and other collaborators. By studying these samples, the research team identified the key genetic changes that cause cancer in cats and found that many of these changes are very similar to those seen in human cancers.
Environmental risks and genetic overlap
Cats often share the same living environment as their owners, so they can be exposed to similar cancer risk factors. The study used DNA sequencing on tissue samples originally collected for veterinary diagnostics; scienceshowed that some genetic patterns of cancer in cats mirror those seen in humans. One notable example is the similarity between breast cancer in cats and breast cancer in humans.
This finding suggests that multiple genetic pathways involved in cancer may be further investigated through genomics and clinical research. This could ultimately lead to the development of treatments that target the same mutations in both cats and humans.
The first comprehensive map of cancer genomics in cats
Cats are extremely common pets, with over 10 million people living in the UK and almost a quarter of households owning at least one1. Cancer is also one of the leading causes of illness and death in cats, 2 but its genetic basis is still poorly understood.
This study is the first time that feline tumors have been analyzed at this scale, creating an open resource that researchers can use to advance feline cancer genomics.
The research team screened about 1,000 genes known to be associated with human cancer. They compared tumor and healthy tissue samples for 13 types of cat cancer, allowing direct comparisons with cancers in humans and dogs. In some cases, the genetic causes of cancer in cats closely matched those seen in humans.
Major cancer genes found in cats
Breast cancer, a common and aggressive cancer in cats, has provided some of the clearest insights. Researchers have identified seven driver genes associated with tumor development. The most common was FBXW7, which was altered in more than 50 percent of the tumors studied. In humans, mutations in FBXW7 in breast cancer are associated with poor prognosis, mirroring a similar pattern seen in cats.
The study also found that certain chemotherapy drugs were more effective in tumor samples with FBXW7 mutations. Although these results were obtained from tissue grown in the laboratory and require further testing, they point to a potential treatment strategy for both feline and human breast cancer.
Another major gene, PIK3CA, was present in 47% of cat mammary tumors. This same mutation is well known in human breast cancer and is already the target of certain drugs called PI3K inhibitors.
Mutations common to multiple cancer types
In addition to breast cancer, researchers identified similarities with human cancer mutations in tumors that affect the blood, bones, lungs, skin, gastrointestinal system, and central nervous system. These common genetic features highlight the potential to study cancer across species and develop treatments that benefit both.
One promising concept emerging from this research is the “One Medicine” approach. This strategy fosters collaboration between human and veterinary medicine, allowing discoveries in one field to inform the other. Treatments proven to be effective in humans may also be tested in cats, and insights from veterinary trials could guide clinical research in humans.
Researchers highlight interspecies benefits
Co-lead author Bailey Francis, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “Comparing cancer genomics in different species provides a deeper understanding of the causes of cancer. One of our key findings is that the genetic changes that cause cancer in cats are similar to those seen in humans and dogs. “This could be useful not only for veterinary medicine professionals, but also for those who study human cancer, and shows that we can all benefit when knowledge and data flow between different disciplines.”
Co-senior author Professor Geoffrey Wood, from the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada, said: “Despite domestic cats being common pets, until now little was known about the genetics of cancer in these animals. “This means that pets are exposed to the same environmental factors as us. This could help us understand why cats and humans develop cancer, how the world around us influences cancer risk, and perhaps new ways to prevent and treat it.” that. ”
Co-senior author Professor Sven Rottenberg, from the University of Bern in Switzerland, said: “Having access to such a large set of donated tissues allowed us to assess drug response across tumor types in a way that was previously not possible at this scale. This is a powerful tool to help identify potential novel treatment options, and we hope that it will one day be translated into clinical applications in both cats and humans.”
Dr Louise van der Weyden, senior author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “This is one of the biggest developments in feline oncology to date and means that the genetics of tumors in domestic cats is no longer a ‘black box’. We can now take the next step towards precision oncology in cats and keep up with the diagnostic and treatment options available for dogs with cancer, and eventually humans.”
Precautions
- Cat protection. Accessed April 12, 2025. Available: https://www.cats.org.uk/about-cp/cats-report
- AL Thurber, KM Makielski, TA Depot, AJ Schulte, JF Modiano. (2022) “Increased cancer risk in dogs and humans: A consequence of recent lifespan extensions beyond evolutionarily determined limits?” aging cancer. DOI: 10.1002/aac2.12046
- In this part of the study, the researchers used cat breast cancer tissue grown in culture to investigate which treatments are more effective against tumors with changes. FBXW7 gene. This was not a clinical trial.
This research was funded in part by the EveryCat Health Foundation, CVS Group, Wellcome, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. A complete list of acknowledgments is provided in the publication.
