Published: Jan. 22, 2025
Researchers at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the UF Health Cancer Center have discovered a link between a gene mutation and immune system signaling in canine hemangiosarcoma.
The research team’s findings reveal that hemangiosarcoma doesn’t just create its own blood vessels; it hijacks healthy cells nearby, forcing them to help build blood vessels that feed the tumor. A specific genetic mutation in the PIK3CA gene causes cancer cells to send out signals that confuse the body’s immune system. This new research provides critical insights that could lead to novel therapies for both canine hemangiosarcoma patients with this mutation and human patients with angiosarcoma.
The rarity of human angiosarcoma has hampered research efforts, making it difficult to gather enough data for meaningful clinical trials and understand the cancer’s fundamental biology. The research team’s recent work shows that hemangiosarcoma cells have a unique ability to stimulate blood cell production, potentially influencing the generation of ‘cancer-friendly’ immune cells, confusing the body’s immune system, and enabling cancer growth.
