Cats, Cancer and Comparative Oncology

Area of Science:

• Comparative oncology
• Veterinary medicine
• Translational cancer research

Background:

• Naturally occurring canine tumors are established models for human cancers.
• Domestic cats share similar benefits as canine models but are underutilized.
• Feline models present unique challenges and opportunities for cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of feline spontaneous tumors as models for human cancers.
• To discuss specific feline tumor types offering insights into human cancer.
• To explore the potential of feline models in advancing cancer research and therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on feline spontaneous tumors.
• Comparative analysis of feline and human cancer characteristics (clinical and molecular).
• Identification of specific feline tumor types relevant to human oncology.

Main Results:

• Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma shares features with human head and neck cancer, suitable for therapy evaluation.
• Feline mammary tumors, often aggressive and triple-negative, provide an enriched population for target and treatment examination.
• Feline injection site sarcoma may model inflammation-driven tumorigenesis, aiding susceptibility and prevention studies.

Conclusions:

• Feline models, particularly for oral, mammary, and injection site tumors, offer significant potential for advancing human cancer research.
• Utilizing feline models aligns with the One Medicine approach, bridging veterinary and human oncology.
• Further investigation into feline cancer models can accelerate the development of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies for various human cancers.