Researchers have reported a breakthrough in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in cats, a cancer long known for its resistance to therapy. In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, a novel drug successfully controlled disease progression in more than a third of participating cats, according to findings published in Cancer Cell.

The therapy uses a cyclic oligonucleotide designed to block STAT3—a transcription factor that drives tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion in many cancers. Historically, STAT3 has been considered “undruggable” because its role in regulating gene expression makes it difficult to inhibit with conventional treatments. By directly binding to STAT3 and shutting down its cancer-promoting activity, this new approach represents a major leap forward.

Of the cats treated, 35 per cent achieved measurable disease control with few side effects, a result that could reshape how veterinarians and oncologists approach this deadly malignancy. While developed with human cancers in mind, the drug was first adapted for feline patients to test its safety and effectiveness — an uncommon but increasingly valuable strategy in translational medicine.

Researchers believe these findings could pave the way for similar therapies in people with HNSCC, a cancer that remains challenging to treat despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. The success of this veterinary trial underscores how animal and human oncology can inform one another, accelerating the path from laboratory discovery to real-world application.