TY - JOUR AU - Zhang, Yijie AU - Wang, Dan AU - Peng, Miao AU - Tang, Le AU - Ouyang, Jiawei AU - Xiong, Fang AU - Guo, Can AU - Tang, Yanyan AU - Zhou, Yujuan AU - Liao, Qianjin AU - Wu, Xu AU - Wang, Hui AU - Yu, Jianjun AU - Li, Yong AU - Li, Xiaoling AU - Li, Guiyuan AU - Zeng, Zhaoyang AU - Tan, Yixin AU - Xiong, Wei PY - 2021 DA - 2021/03/01 TI - Single‐cell RNA sequencing in cancer research JO - Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research SP - 81 VL - 40 IS - 1 AB - Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), a technology that analyzes transcriptomes of complex tissues at single-cell levels, can identify differential gene expression and epigenetic factors caused by mutations in unicellular genomes, as well as new cell-specific markers and cell types. scRNA-seq plays an important role in various aspects of tumor research. It reveals the heterogeneity of tumor cells and monitors the progress of tumor development, thereby preventing further cellular deterioration. Furthermore, the transcriptome analysis of immune cells in tumor tissue can be used to classify immune cells, their immune escape mechanisms and drug resistance mechanisms, and to develop effective clinical targeted therapies combined with immunotherapy. Moreover, this method enables the study of intercellular communication and the interaction of tumor cells and non-malignant cells to reveal their role in carcinogenesis. scRNA-seq provides new technical means for further development of tumor research and is expected to make significant breakthroughs in this field. This review focuses on the principles of scRNA-seq, with an emphasis on the application of scRNA-seq in tumor heterogeneity, pathogenesis, and treatment. SN - 1756-9966 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-021-01874-1 DO - 10.1186/s13046-021-01874-1 ID - Zhang2021 ER -