Editorial: Advancements in Feline Oncology – Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Domestic Cat Cancers

Rodrigo dos Santos Horta^1*Antonio Giuliano²Fernanda Vieira Amorim da Costa¹

• ¹Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• ²Harvest Veterinary Oncology Center, Hong Kong, China

The domestic cat is among the most beloved and worldwide spread companion animals with a population of approximately one billion individuals, although more than half of it comprises stray cats. Their popularity as companion animals grew globally, largely because they are considered low maintenance, quiet, and affordable pets. Currently, the largest populations of domestic cats are found in the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil United Kingdom and Italy. Cats are more popular than dogs in Russia and Japan, reflecting cultural preferences and lifestyle factors that favor feline companionship. The life expectancy of cats varies significantly depending on several factors, including age, sex, neuter status, breed and geographical location. In the United Kindgom, the average life expectancy is estimated at 11.7 years, with road traffic accidents representing the leading cause of death, followed by renal disease, cardiovascular disease and neoplasia (Teng et al., 2024). Neoplasia is one of the main causes of mortality in adult and senior domestic cats and it representes an increasingly health concern. Moreover, it also represents a major health problem to young cats living in places endemic for FeLV, as it dramatically increases the risk of development of agressive forms of lymphoma and leukemia (Kent et al., 2022; Biezus et al., 2025). Within this context, feline oncology has emerged as an important field in veterinary medicine, driven by the expanding global cat population and the rising prevalence of neoplastic diseases. Unlike other companion animals, cats exhibit unique biological and clinical behaviors that demand species-specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This Research Topic brings together cutting-edge studies critical challenges in the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of feline cancers. The contributions presented here encompass epidemiological analyses, novel prognostic markers, and innovative therapeutic approaches, collectively advancing our ability to provide more effective and tailored oncological care for feline patients. Giugliano et al. provided an extensive epidemiological analysis of mammary gland, skin, and soft tissue tumors in cats using 20 years of data from Italy's Liguria region. Researchers analyzed a database of 4,399 registered tumours.Their population-based study confirmed the predominance of mammary gland tumors in intact females and a higher frequency of skin and soft tissue tumors in neutered cats, both male or female. Notably, the study found a correlation between environmental cadmium pollution and cancer incidence, underscoring the role of cats as sentinels of environmental health risks. The research bridges feline oncology and public health, supporting the One Health perspective and comparative oncology models. Diagnosis is the first step for planning a therapy or strategies to reduce its incidence. However, prognosis is also fundamental for treatment´s decision-making processes. Santos et al., investigated perineural invasion (PNI) in feline squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), treated with electrochemotherapy. A total of 24 cats were included, 21 with skin SCC and three with oral lesions. PNI was identified in 8/24 (33%) cats and it was significantly associated with local recurrence following ECT, with all PNI-positive cats experiencing relaps, while it happened in 5/16 (31,2%) of cats without PNI invasion (p = 0,03). This study introduces PNI as a possible prognostic biomarker and call for further prospective investigations into PNI which may eventually support refinements in treatment planning, surveillance, and client communication. The potential of ECT as a local control strategy is further substantiated in the original research by Sena et al. In the realm of rare and treatment-resistant neoplasms, this collection presents a compelling case report on feline progressive histiocytosis (FPH), a poorly understood and infrequently diagnosed condition originated from intersticial dentritic cells. A 6-year-old spayed female mixed-breed domestic cat, was presented with disseminated lesions diagnosed as FPH. A multimodal therapeutic approach combining electrochemotherapy, toceranib phosphate, and chlorambucil led to complete remission and long-term survival in a case previously unresponsive to standard máximum tolerated doce of lomustine and doxorrubicine. This case not only highlights the clinical utility of electrochemotherapy in cutaneous neoplasms but also opens new discussions about individualized protocols for rare cancers. In this context, Alves et al. investigated the oncolytic potential of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) as a novel treatment for feline lymphoma, a common and often challenging cancer in cats, often related to FeLV, especially in young cats living in endemic regions. Researchers utilized a modified NDV strain, NDV-GFP, to infect and induce cell death in feline thymic lymphoma cells infected by FeLV and cultured in a laboratory setting. The results demonstrated that NDV-GFP successfully replicated within these cancer cells and dose-dependently reduced their viability, suggesting it could serve as an effective virotherapy. This preliminary in vitro evidence highlights NDV as a promising candidate for developing new therapeutic strategies for feline lymphoma, especially given the limitations and side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy. This investigation underscores the importance of exploring non-traditional modalities that might overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. Collectively, these contributions advance our understanding of feline oncology by bridging basic research and clinical application. They highlight the diversity and complexity of challenges faced in feline cancer care — from large-scale epidemiological trends. to identification of recurrence predictors, multimodal strategies for managing rare tumors, and development of innovative virotherapy approaches. We anticipate that these studies will stimulate further research into species-specific treatment protocols, the development of predictive biomarkers, and improved diagnostic tools tailored to feline patients. Ultimately, as the field of veterinary oncology continues to evolve, so does our capacity to enhance not only the lifespan but also the quality of life of cats affected by cancer, fostering a more personalized and evidence-based approach to feline cancer management.