Groundbreaking research on feline pancreatic cancer
Thanks to a grant we awarded in 2021, RVC researchers have now completed a groundbreaking study on tumour biomarkers in cats with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease in cats, and this research marks an important step toward improving diagnosis and treatment options.
To share the key insights, lead researcher Dr Alexandra Guillen, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Oncology, who led the study, has provided an overview of the findings and what they could mean for the future.
What were the key findings of the study, and why do they matter for cats with pancreatic cancer?
The study found that pancreatic carcinoma in cats is an aggressive disease, with only a small proportion of cats (17%) surviving the first 6 months after diagnosis. Biomarkers linked to tumour aggressiveness and metastasis such as CD44, PD-L1, COX-2, E-cadherin, and c-KIT were expressed in varying degrees, but their expression could not predict the likelihood for the patient to develop metastasis. These findings highlight how difficult this cancer is to treat and underline the need for better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
How might these findings help improve diagnosis, treatment, or understanding of this disease in the future?
By identifying which biomarkers are present in feline pancreatic cancer, this research provides a foundation for future studies to test whether these proteins can serve as targets for new therapies or as diagnostic tools. For example, PD-L1 expression may make immune-based therapies worth exploring, while the strong expression of CD44 in most tumours suggests it could play a role in tumour growth and spread. Overall, mapping out these biological features helps us understand the disease mechanisms better and opens doors to more tailored approaches.
What are the next steps, and how will continued research build on these results?
The next steps involve studying larger numbers of cats, exploring additional biomarkers, and testing whether targeted therapies such as immunotherapies or drugs directed at CD44 or PD-L1 could improve outcomes. Long-term, comparative studies with human pancreatic cancer may also reveal shared pathways that could accelerate progress for both species. Research should also look at earlier detection methods, since most cats are diagnosed very late in the disease course.
Is there one key message or takeaway you’d like our supporters to know about their impact on this research?
Support for this research is making a real difference by shedding light on a cancer that we know little about in cats. Every discovery is an important step toward understanding this disease. With continued support, researchers can build on these findings to develop better diagnostics and treatments, ultimately giving cats with pancreatic cancer a better chance at having longer, healthier lives.
This research marks an important milestone in tackling one of the most aggressive cancers in cats. Although further research is needed, the discoveries made are helping to pave the way toward earlier detection and more effective treatments, thanks to your support. You can read the full research report here.