Genetic Map of Cat Cancers Reveals Similarities to Human Cancers

Researchers analyze tumor DNA from nearly 500 domestic cats, finding key genetic mutations linked to cancer that could help treat the disease in both species.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A new study led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge has produced the first detailed genetic map of cancer in domestic cats. The researchers analyzed tumor DNA from almost 500 cats and found striking similarities between the genetic mutations driving cat cancers and human versions of the disease. This discovery could help scientists find new ways to treat certain types of cancer, like triple-negative breast cancer, which cats develop more often than humans.

Why it matters

Understanding the genetic drivers of cancer in cats is valuable because cats share the same living environments as humans and are exposed to many of the same potential environmental factors that may influence cancer risk in both species. Studying cat cancers could provide important clues about the biological processes that allow tumors to grow and spread, which could lead to new treatment approaches for both human and feline patients.

The details

The international research team examined around 1,000 genes linked to 13 types of feline cancer. They found that many of the genes driving cat cancers are mirrored in human cancers, suggesting the two species share key biological mechanisms that allow tumors to develop. This discovery is particularly relevant for certain types of breast cancer, like triple-negative breast cancer, which cats develop more frequently than humans. Having access to cat tumor samples could help scientists uncover new insights and potential treatments for these difficult-to-treat human cancer subtypes.

  • The study was published in the journal Science on February 20, 2026.

The players

Dr. Louise Van der Wayden

The lead researcher on the study from the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge.

Prof. Geoffrey Wood

A researcher from the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada who was involved in the study.

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What they’re saying

“Cat cancer genetics has totally been a black box up until now. The more we can understand about cancer in any species has got to be beneficial for everybody.”

— Dr. Louise Van der Wayden, Lead Researcher

“This can help us understand more about why cancer develops in cats and humans, how the world around us influences cancer risk, and possibly find new ways to prevent and treat it.”

— Prof. Geoffrey Wood, Researcher

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue studying the genetic similarities between cat and human cancers in order to identify new treatment approaches that could benefit both species.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking research on the genetic drivers of cancer in domestic cats could lead to important breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of certain human cancer subtypes, particularly aggressive forms of breast cancer. The shared living environments of cats and humans also offer valuable insights into potential environmental factors that may influence cancer risk in both species.