Advancing Cancer Research and Medicine with Single-Cell Genomics

Cancer Cell. 2020 Apr 13;37(4):456-470. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.03.008.

Abstract

Single-cell sequencing (SCS) has impacted many areas of cancer research and improved our understanding of intratumor heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The development and refinement of SCS technologies has led to massive reductions in costs, increased cell throughput, and improved reproducibility, paving the way for clinical applications. However, before translational applications can be realized, there are a number of logistical and technical challenges that must be overcome. This review discusses past cancer research studies, emerging technologies, and future clinical applications that are bound to transform cancer medicine.

Keywords: cancer evolution; intratumor heterogeneity; metastasis; single cell genomics; single cell sequencing; therapy resistance; translational genomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research*
  • Genetic Heterogeneity*
  • Genomics / methods*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*
  • Tumor Microenvironment