Chinese scientists reveal world's largest-scale pan-cancer vascular system single-cell atlas

A Chinese research team has published groundbreaking findings in the prestigious journal Nature, unveiling the world's largest-scale pan-cancer vascular system single-cell atlas. This advancement is poised to improve early cancer diagnosis, drug development, and precise treatment for cancer patients.

Led by Yin Mingzhu, vice-president of Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, the team includes scientists from Chongqing University, Tsinghua University, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.

Titled "Tumor Vasculature at Single-Cell Resolution," the study offers a comprehensive perspective on the complex process of tumor angiogenesis, providing a scientific basis to enhance the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapies in clinical settings.

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is essential for tumor survival and development. Anti-angiogenic therapies aim to stop tumors from growing their own blood vessels, potentially slowing cancer growth or even shrinking tumors. Blood vessels transport nutrients, enabling tumor cells to proliferate and metastasize.

"Fully revealing the characteristics of the tumor vascular microenvironment and identifying key endothelial cells that supply energy to tumor cells can provide a strong basis for the precise treatment of clinical tumor patients by intervening in nutrient supply," Yin said.

The team utilized single-cell transcriptome sequencing data from 31 types of human malignant tumors to analyze the common and specific functional clusters of vascular endothelial cells, lymphatic endothelial cells, and perivascular cells within the pan-tumor microenvironment.

The appearance of tip cells during the initiation stage of tumor-induced vascular sprouting marks disease progression in tumor patients and is closely related to poor prognosis. The study found that the proportion of these cells can indicate the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy.

"These cells are of significant importance in the companion diagnostics of anti-angiogenic therapies and serve as powerful biomarkers for indicating sustained therapeutic benefits in future clinical treatments," Yin said.

The team is now promoting the integration of research, industry, and clinical applications based on these findings, aiming to lay a foundation for evaluating the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy.

"For instance, we can develop a reagent test kit to detect early signs of cancers or determine whether a cancer patient is suitable for a certain kind of therapy," said Li Xin, co-author of the paper and a researcher at Chongqing University.

Chongqing University, one of China's top universities, is building a first-class medical school integrating its strong engineering strength with medical research. On May 30, the university signed an agreement with Nobel Prize winner in Physics Ferenc Krausz, establishing his first workstation in China at Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital.

"I will work with Krausz advancing the application of attosecond pulse technology in my study, providing new methods for the early diagnosis and treatment of tumors," Yin said.

Krausz was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his experiments with attosecond pulses of light.