Single-cell sequencing and its applications in bladder cancer

Abstract

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumour of the urinary system that is characterised by significant intra-tumoural heterogeneity. While large-scale sequencing projects have provided a preliminary understanding of tumour heterogeneity, these findings are based on the average signals obtained from the pooled populations of diverse cells. Recent advances in single-cell sequencing (SCS) technologies have been critical in this regard, opening up new ways of understanding the nuanced tumour biology by identifying distinct cellular subpopulations, dissecting the tumour microenvironment, and characterizing cellular genomic mutations. By integrating these novel insights, SCS technologies are expected to make powerful and meaningful changes to the current diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer through the identification and usage of novel biomarkers as well as targeted therapeutics. SCS can discriminate complex heterogeneity in a large population of tumour cells and determine the key molecular properties that influence clinical outcomes. Here, we review the advances in single-cell technologies and discuss their applications in cancer research and clinical practice, with a specific focus on bladder cancer.

Single-cell sequencing technologies in bladder cancer research: Applications and challenges

“…The past several years have witnessed unpredictable advances in single-cell sequencing technologies in the cancer field ( Papalexi and Satija, 2018 ; Liu et al, 2021 ). However, the novel applications of single-cell technologies in characterising bladder cancer currently remain insufficient when compared with other human malignancies ( Zang et al, 2021 ; Wei et al, 2022 ). First, existing single-cell sequencing studies have been limited to providing transcriptome or genomic information for a few specific types of bladder cancer patients, especially those lacking proteomic and cellular spatial information ( Chen et al, 2018 ; Chen et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020 ).…”

Advances in novel strategies for isolation, characterization, and analysis of CTCs and ctDNA

“…Multiple studies have been conducted to assess the metastatic potential of CTCs using membranous detection of epithelial and mesenchymal 14 Aliya et al, 100 Gawad et al, 101 Tang et al, 102 Wei et al, 97 Wakai et al 20 Khan et al, 104 Slatko et al, 114 Court et al, 115 Gasch et al Castro-Giner and Aceto, 94 McDonald et al, 121 Bai et al, 122 Watanabe et al, 123 Freitas et al 124 Whole-exome sequencing Gawad et al, 101 Wakai et al, 103 McDonald et al, 121 Xie et al, 125 Lohr et al, 126 Manier et al, 127 Szczerba et al 14 Lei et al, 119 Li and Wang, 129 Mustachio and Roszik 130 (Continued)…”

Noncoding RNAs as regulators of STAT3 pathway in gastrointestinal cancers: Roles in cancer progression and therapeutic response

“…Of lately, a high number of circRNAs have been discovered because of advancements in the field of RNA sequencing and bioinformatics. 107 Unlike other types of linear RNAs, the 5′ and 3′ ends of the RNA are covalently joined together leading to the circularization of RNA. CircRNAs are the product of a "back-splice" reaction in which the 5′ terminus of a pre-mRNA upstream exon is noncollinearly spliced with the 3′ terminus of a downstream exon.…”

“…Initially, it was believed that circRNAs are formed as a result of an error in the splicing of mRNA. Of lately, a high number of circRNAs have been discovered because of advancements in the field of RNA sequencing and bioinformatics 107 . Unlike other types of linear RNAs, the 5′ and 3′ ends of the RNA are covalently joined together leading to the circularization of RNA.…”