Key bladder cancer genes have been uncovered through studying the cancers in cats and dogs, in a significant stride for finding which of many mutations are the most important in the cancer's development.
in other species to see which genes are also commonly mutated, researchers can narrow down biologically important genes most relevant for study in humans too, helping prioritize the development of new cancer therapies.
Over 100,000 individuals in the UK are living with bladder cancer. Among them, around 25 percent will go on to have muscle-invasive bladder cancer , where the cancer has progressed beyond the bladder lining into the muscle layer and sometimes even further. MIBC is more aggressive and associated with much poorer outcomes due to its tendency to come back and spread to other parts of the body. Current understanding and treatment options for MIBC are very limited.
The team collaborated with veterinary pathologists from 17 different countries to obtain bladder cancer tissue samples from human, feline and canine patients § that had been diagnosed with the disease, and matched this with 'healthy tissue' from the same animal to reveal genes mutated in different species.
The team also identified important differences between species. For example, BRAF is the most frequently mutated gene in the dog bladder cancers, and the position of the mutation in the gene is exactly the same as found in human melanomas, however, BRAF mutations in human MIBC are only found in ~3 percent of cases. Identifying this feature in dogs could allow their use as a relevant model for BRAF-mutated MIBC patients, whose numbers may be too small for clinical trials.
Dr. Geoff Wood, senior author of the paper, professor at Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada and co-director of the Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation, said,"Many people are surprised to hear their pet has developed bladder cancer. As this study shows, we share more in common with our beloved companions than one might expect.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How the language of 'woke' is being used by those with influence to frame key debatesTHE word “woke” is everywhere. Used as an insult, it has become a trigger word for the right, populists, some on the centre-left and those who…
Read more »
Major new analysis sets date for independence support to hit key milestoneSUPPORT for independence is “not going away”, a major new analysis has found.
Read more »
Inter Miami starlet could ignore Lionel Messi over key future decisionBenjamin Cremaschi is rapidly emerging in the MLS and could represent USMNT or Argentina at international level.
Read more »
Met Police security breach: The key questions as force on 'high alert' after officers' details hacked'I'm not sure it can be totally prevented in this day and age so managing any risk and limiting what is supplied is key,' a former officer tells Sky News.
Read more »
Andy Murray provides key injury update ahead of first US Open match'It has not been perfect in that sense.'
Read more »
Ferrari’s lack of pace key talking point in Dutch GP cooldown roomFerrari’s difficult Dutch Grand Prix was a major taking point in the post-race cooldown room between Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly.
Read more »