Unveiling functional heterogeneity in breast cancer multicellular tumor spheroids through single-cell RNA-seq.

摘要: Heterogeneity is an intrinsic characteristic of cancer. Even in isogenic tumors, cell populations exhibit differential cellular programs that overall supply malignancy and decrease treatment efficiency. In this study, we investigated the functional relationship among subtypes how interdependency can promote tumor development a cancer line. To do so, performed single-cell RNA-seq MCF7 Multicellular Tumor Spheroids as model. Analysis transcriptomes at two-time points spheroid growth, allowed us to dissect their relationship. As result, three major robust clusters, with non-redundant complementary composition, were found. Meanwhile, one cluster promotes proliferation, others mainly activate mechanisms invade other tissues serve reservoir population conserved over time. Our results provide evidence see systemic unit has task stratification ultimate goal preserving hallmarks tumors.