Research and application of single-cell sequencing in tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance of circulating tumor cells

Biomark Res. 2020 Nov 10;8(1):60. doi: 10.1186/s40364-020-00240-1.

Abstract

Malignant tumor is a largely harmful disease worldwide. The cure rate of malignant tumors increases with the continuous discovery of anti-tumor drugs and the optimisation of chemotherapy options. However, drug resistance of tumor cells remains a massive obstacle in the treatment of anti-tumor drugs. The heterogeneity of malignant tumors makes studying it further difficult for us. In recent years, using single-cell sequencing technology to study and analyse circulating tumor cells can avoid the interference of tumor heterogeneity and provide a new perspective for us to understand tumor drug resistance.

Keywords: Circulating tumor cells; Drug resistance; Single-cell sequencing; Tumor heterogeneity.

Publication types

  • Review