Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Papillomavirus DNA found in many cat skin squamous cell cancers
By Munday, John S et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2008·Department of Pathobiology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Amplification of papillomaviral DNA sequences from a high proportion of feline cutaneous in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinomas using a nested polymerase chain reaction.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that a type of virus called papillomavirus (PV) is often linked to skin tumors known as squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in cats. Researchers tested skin samples from cats with SCCs and found PV DNA in nearly all of them, while it was present in only a few samples from cats without SCCs. This suggests that PV may play a role in the development of these tumors in cats, similar to how it affects humans. Understanding this connection could help in preventing these skin cancers in cats by reducing PV infections.
People also search for: cat skin tumor papillomavirus · feline squamous cell carcinoma treatment · why does my cat have skin cancer
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common skin tumours of cats. Previous studies have suggested that papillomaviral (PV) DNA is detectible within some feline SCCs. A PV DNA sequence has been previously amplified from five feline bowenoid in situ carcinomas (BISCs). Primers specific for this sequence were used in a nested polymerase chain reaction to compare PV detection rates in SCCs to rates within non-SCC skin lesions. Papillomaviral DNA was amplified from 20 of 20 BISC, 17 of 20 invasive SCC and 3 of 17 non-SCC controls. The rate of PV amplification from feline cutaneous SCCs was significantly higher than from non-SCC lesions. These results confirm that feline cutaneous SCCs are associated with PV infection. In humans, there is evidence that PVs promote SCC development within sun-exposed skin. The demonstrated association between PVs and feline cutaneous SCCs suggests, but does not prove, that PVs may also promote feline SCC development. If PVs are oncogenic in cats, prevention of PV infection may reduce feline cutaneous SCC development. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that PV DNA has been amplified from a non-SCC sample of feline skin.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18699817/