Progress of single-cell RNA sequencing combined with spatial transcriptomics in tumour microenvironment and treatment of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

In recent years, single-cell analyses have revealed the heterogeneity of the tumour microenvironment (TME) at the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels, further improving our understanding of the mechanisms of tumour development. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology allow analysis of the transcriptome at the single-cell level and have unprecedented potential for exploration of the characteristics involved in tumour development and progression. These techniques allow analysis of transcript sequences at higher resolution, thereby increasing our understanding of the diversity of cells found in the tumour microenvironment and how these cells interact in complex tumour tissue. Although scRNA-seq has emerged as an important tool for studying the tumour microenvironment in recent years, it cannot be used to analyse spatial information for cells. In this regard, spatial transcriptomics (ST) approaches allow researchers to understand the functions of individual cells in complex multicellular organisms by understanding their physical location in tissue sections. In particular, in related research on tumour heterogeneity, ST is an excellent complementary approach to scRNA-seq, constituting a new method for further exploration of tumour heterogeneity, and this approach can also provide unprecedented insight into the development of treatments for pancreatic cancer (PC). In this review, based on the methods of scRNA-seq and ST analyses, research progress on the tumour microenvironment and treatment of pancreatic cancer is further explained.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer; Single-cell RNA sequencing; Spatial transcriptomics; Treatment; Tumour microenvironment.

Fig. 1

Comparison plot of scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq approaches. ScRNA-seq can reveal cellular heterogeneity, while bulk RNA-seq cannot. ScRNA-seq, single-cell RNA sequencing. *Figure 1 was generated with Figdraw

Fig. 2

Several factors contribute to the activation of CAFs. Activated CAFs are further divided into different subtypes such as myCAFs, iCAFs, and apCAFs