Comparative oncology between humans and cats provides insights into future advancements in treatment
Household cats may spend their days sleeping, looking out the window or playing with the water faucet, but their biology can help advance cancer research and treatment, according to a new study published in Science
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth, and determining what factors contribute to such aberrant growth is a challenge in studying it. Genetic mutations — changes in an organism's DNA code — in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes can disrupt the systems that normally regulate cell growth and allow tumors to proliferate; however, identifying these exact mutations can be tricky and is only the first of many steps towards understanding how they affect a cancer
Comparative oncology examines cancers in different species to identify shared biological mechanisms. Dr. Primo Lara, an oncologist and director of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center , explained why researchers are starting to adopt a comparative approach
“Analyzing cancer genetics in cats and other species such as dogs can help identify changes in the genes that control cell growth and determine where those changes overlap with human cancers,” Lara said
Although cancer is a common disease diagnosed in cats, it is not studied in extensive detail. To address this gap and to