What are the applications of single-cell RNA sequencing in cancer research: a systematic review.

Abstract

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a tool for studying gene expression at the single-cell level that has been widely used due to its unprecedented high resolution. In the present review, we outline the preparation process and sequencing platforms for the scRNA-seq analysis of solid tumor specimens and discuss the main steps and methods used during data analysis, including quality control, batch-effect correction, normalization, cell cycle phase assignment, clustering, cell trajectory and pseudo-time reconstruction, differential expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis, as well as gene regulatory network inference. Traditional bulk RNA sequencing does not address the heterogeneity within and between tumors, and since the development of the first scRNA-seq technique, this approach has been widely used in cancer research to better understand cancer cell biology and pathogenetic mechanisms. ScRNA-seq has been of great significance for the development of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In the second part of this review, we focus on the application of scRNA-seq in solid tumors, and summarize the findings and achievements in tumor research afforded by its use. ScRNA-seq holds promise for improving our understanding of the molecular characteristics of cancer, and potentially contributing to improved diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics.

• Authors: Lvyuan Li, Fang Xiong, Yumin Wang, Shanshan Zhang, Zhaojian Gong, Xiayu Li, Yi He, Lei Shi, Fuyan Wang, Qianjin Liao, Bo Xiang, Ming Zhou, Xiaoling Li, Yong Li, Guiyuan Li, Zhaoyang Zeng, Wei Xiong, Can Guo
• Journal: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR (J Exp Clin Cancer Res) Vol. 40 Issue 1 Pg. 163 (May 11 2021) ISSN: 1756-9966 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33975628 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Systematic Review)

Topics

• Humans
• Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• Sequence Analysis, RNA (methods)
• Single-Cell Analysis (methods)