Single-cell sequencing for lung cancer research: Progress and prospects

Abstract

Lung cancer exhibits high morbidity and mortality rates, characterized by a heterogeneous genetic landscape and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, despite recent therapeutic advances. High-resolution single-cell sequencing has facilitated a comprehensive analysis of malignant and host cell types, enhancing the understanding of lung cancer’s heterogeneity and adaptability under basal conditions and in response to therapeutic intervention. In this review, we provide an overview of the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology in characterizing the microenvironment of lung cancer, facilitating early diagnosis, monitoring tumor progression, and elucidating mechanisms of drug resistance, thereby offering new insights into potential therapeutic interventions.

Keywords

Single-cell sequencing / Lung cancer / Heterogeneity / Tumor microenvironment / Drug resistance / Circulating tumor cells

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82200070), the Chongqing Wanzhou Municipal Science and Health Joint Research Project (Grant No. wzwjw-kw2024008), the Chongqing Wanzhou Municipal Science and Health Joint Medical Research Project Key Program (Grant No. wzstc-kw2023001), the Innovation and Development Joint Fund of the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (No. CSTB2023NSCQ-LMX0037 and No. CSTB2023NSCQ-LMX0038), and the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China (No. CSTB2024NSCQ-MSX0761).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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