A groundbreaking new study from UCSF and UC Davis is bringing hope to cats and humans alike in the fight against cancer. Led by Dr. Jennifer Grandis and Dr. Daniel Johnson of UCSF, in partnership with Dr. Katherine Skorupski and colleagues at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the team completed the first clinical trial of a novel drug targeting squamous cell carcinoma—one of the most aggressive cancers in cats. Historically, treatment options for this disease have been limited, leaving most cats with oral tumors facing poor prognoses. The team’s results mark a significant shift: 35% of cats treated with the new STAT3 inhibitor had their disease controlled, all with minimal side effects.
Published in Cancer Cell, this translational research points to major implications for human oncology, especially head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The drug works by shutting down STAT3, a protein known to drive cancer cell growth but previously resistant to targeting in human therapies. “What’s exciting is that this study shows it’s possible to shut down a protein that drives cancer,” notes Dr. Johnson from UCSF. The trial not only extended the lives of feline patients—giving one cat, Jakiro, an extra Christmas with his family—but also demonstrated the power of companion animals as models for human disease.
The cross-campus collaboration highlights the value of veterinary and human medical scientists working together. “By partnering with veterinary oncologists and doing clinical trials in companion animals, we can learn an enormous amount about how these drugs work while also helping people’s pets,” said Dr. Grandis. In addition to disease control, the trial showed enhanced immune responses in treated animals, underscoring the therapy’s potential safety and efficacy for future applications.
With support from the NIH and ongoing work with biotech partners, the UCSF and UC Davis teams are advancing this drug towards clinical trials for both pets and humans. The study stands as a powerful example of translational medicine—where insights from furry patients pave the way for innovative cancer therapies that could improve human health. For more details, see coverage from the San Francisco Chronicle, NBC Bay Area, KCBS, KTVU, KCRA, UC Davis, the Good News network, and Genetic Engineering News.
