Overview
- An international team sequenced tumors and matched healthy tissue from 493 pet cats across five countries, covering 13 cancer types, with results published in Science on Feb. 19.
- The study identified 31 cancer-driving genes and mutational signatures, with TP53 the most frequently mutated gene across feline tumors at roughly 33%.
- In feline mammary carcinoma, FBXW7 mutations appeared in over half of tumors and PIK3CA in about 47%, reflecting patterns seen in human breast cancer.
- Laboratory assays on donated tumor tissue indicated some chemotherapy drugs were more effective in FBXW7‑mutant mammary tumors, a preliminary finding requiring in vivo validation.
- The team released the dataset publicly and outlined next steps including broader sampling and comparative clinical trials in cats to guide treatments for animals and people.