Genomic landscape and gene expression profiles of Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

We have used whole exome sequencing (WES) to discover somatic mutations that may be potential drivers of this cancer and investigated gene expression in FOSCC. FOSCC may present as a potential model to study oral squamous head and neck cancer due to spontaneous formation, similar genetic landscape, physical and histological appearance. This is the first study using exome sequencing to identify somatic mutations in any cancer that affects domestic cats. We have identified single nucleotide variants (SNVs) on six cats with FOSCC and identified driver genes in common with HNSCC.