Study maps cancer genes in cats, finding remarkable similarities to human cancers

Domestic cats have long occupied a curious blind spot in cancer research. Despite being one of the world's most common companion animals, the mutations behind feline tumors have remained largely uncharacterized—until now.

A large-scale genomic study published on February 19, 2026, in Science has produced the first comprehensive map of the feline oncogenome, identifying key similarities between cancer-driving mutations in cats and humans and pointing to potential treatment targets in both species.¹

A pan-cancer view of feline tumors, for the first time

Researchers sequenced 493 paired feline tumor and normal tissue samples drawn from 13 tumor types, focusing on the feline orthologs of approximately 1000 human cancer genes. The analysis identified 31 driver genes, along with mutational signatures, viral sequences, and tumor-predisposing germline variants.¹

TP53 emerged as the most frequently mutated gene, found in 33% of all feline tumors. The figure closely mirrors the rate observed in human pan-cancer studies, which have found the gene mutation in 34% of all tumors, according to a report by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).² The most recurrent copy number alterations were loss of PTEN or FAS, or gain of MYC.¹

"[We] were surprised to see such overlap in terms of the genes that were mutated in the cancers of both species," Louise van der Weyden, PhD, a corresponding author on the study and a senior staff scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute—a UK-based nonprofit genomics and genetics research institute—said in an AVMA report.² "But when you think about the fact that human and cat genomes are remarkably similar, it's probably not that surprising."

Cats share approximately 90% of their DNA with humans—a higher percentage of genetic similarity than dogs, which share approximately 84%, according to van der Weyden.²

Parallels across mammary, lung, and other cancers

The parallels extended across multiple tumor types. In feline mammary cancers, FBXW7 mutations were observed in more than 50% of cases. A mutation of that same gene is also observed in human breast cancers.²

Researchers also found that FBXW7-mutant tumors showed sensitivity to vinca alkaloids, a class of chemotherapy drugs already in clinical use in both human and veterinary medicine, suggesting a potential avenue for treatment trials.^1,2

In feline lung carcinoma, TP53 mutations were observed in approximately 40% of cases, comparable to the approximately 50% mutation rate observed in human non–small cell lung carcinomas.

Feline pancreatic carcinomas showed recurrent mutations in CTNNB1, mirroring findings in the acinar cell subtype of human pancreatic carcinoma.² In cutaneous mast cell tumors, KIT mutations were identified in 41% of cases, most commonly in exons 8 and 9. That same pattern has also been reported in pediatric mastocytosis, including cutaneous forms.^1.2

A foundation for targeted therapy

The findings carry strong implications for veterinary oncology. Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in domestic cats. Yet, until now, the genetics driving those tumors were poorly understood.

"In this era of precision medicine, where targeted therapies are the treatment of choice for cancer treatment in humans, there were no targeted therapies available for cats," van der Weyden said.² "However, you can't develop targeted therapies if you don't have knowledge of the mutated genes driving the cancer's initiation and progression."

Before this research, only 3 next-generation sequencing studies had been conducted on feline cancers, all involving small sample sizes and single tumor types, according to van der Weyden.² The new data set represents a broader effort, one that the authors say confirms "the cat as a valuable model for comparative studies" and gives veterinary oncologists and researchers a reference point, consistent with a One Medicine approach.^1,2

References

1. Francis BA, Ludwig L, He C, et al. The oncogenome of the domestic cat. Science. 2026;391(6787):793-799. doi:10.1126/science.ady6651
2. Won C. Study finds similarities in genes that drive cancer in cats, humans. American Veterinary Medical Association. April 17, 2026. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://www.avma.org/news/study-finds-similarities-genes-drive-cancer-cats-humans