Scientists say house cats could help unlock better cancer treatments for humans

Scientists have mapped the genetics of cat cancer on an record-setting scale and found surprising similarities with tumors in humans. The findings could help bring precision cancer treatments to cats while also revealing new clues about how human cancers develop and respond to drugs. Scientists say house cats could help unlock better cancer treatments for humans.

Scientists say house cats could help unlock better cancer treatments for humans Science News from research organizations Scientists say house cats could help unlock better cancer treatments for humans A massive genetic study of cat tumors reveals striking similarities to human cancer and could open new paths to treatment for both species. " In a large international study published in Science, researchers genetically analyzed cat cancers on a scale that had not been attempted before. The work could improve cancer care for cats while also helping scientists better understand how some cancers develop in humans and other animals.

The researchers also created a freely available resource that other scientists can use to study the genetics of feline cancer. Cancer is one of the leading causes of illness and death in cats, yet scientists have historically known far less about the genetic changes behind feline tumors than they do about cancers in humans or dogs. Geoffrey Wood, an University of Guelph pathobiology professor and co-senior author of the study, said that gap has now begun to close.

"Despite domestic cats being common pets, there was very little known about the genetics of cancer in these animals," Wood says, "until now." Cat and Human Cancers Share Key Genetic Changes Researchers examined tumor samples from almost 500 domestic cats in five countries, searching for mutations and other genetic changes that help cancers form and grow.