Insights into the Precision Medicine of Pancreatic Cancer: Single-Cell Analysis

Abstract

The rising incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) is a global challenge of paramount importance. Understanding the complex nature of this disease is crucial for addressing various issues within the field, including early recurrence, metastasis, and the formidable resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The complexity of PC arises from the diverse biological phenotypes present in tumor cells, creating a mosaic-like diversity. The lack of comprehensive insights into the functional aspects of cellular and molecular components further complicates treatment, leading to suboptimal outcomes. To tackle these intricacies, researchers must explore the cellular and molecular foundations of this multifaceted disease. Profiling cellular transcriptomes becomes a powerful tool for understanding the subtle heterogeneity in complex cellular populations within tissues. This approach allows for the deconstruction of molecular processes at the individual cell level, revolutionizing our understanding of cellular identity and function. By carefully examining differences in single-cell genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenetic profiles among tumor cells, both primary and metastatic, collected from patient samples, we gain insights into the diverse landscape of tumor heterogeneity. This perspective has significant implications for precision oncology in the context of pancreatic cancer. The current study provides a comprehensive assessment of the empirical basis for RNA sequencing technologies, the methodologies for single-cell isolation, and the conceptual framework for integrating these elements into prognostic assessment, genomic accessibility, transcriptional dynamics, and proteomic landscapes. By combining these components, the study aims to establish a coherent framework that facilitates the development of precision medicine approaches tailored to the unique challenges presented by pancreatic cancer.