Emerging single-cell technologies for functional proteomics in oncology

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Proteomics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cellular heterogeneity poses a significant challenge to current cancer therapeutics and drug discovery.
• Functional proteome heterogeneity is crucial as many cancer drugs target signaling proteins.
• Tumor complexity necessitates advanced multiplexed single-cell tools to overcome heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in single-cell functional proteomics tools for oncology.
• To categorize and discuss representative tools in cytometry-based and microfluidics-based approaches.
• To provide an outlook on the future of single-cell tools in cancer research.

Main Methods:

• Review of single-cell functional proteomics tools introduced in the last five years.
• Categorization into cytometry-based and microfluidics-based technologies.
• Discussion of representative tools and their performance.

Main Results:

• Emergence of single-cell functional proteomics tools with high multiplexity and performance.
• These tools enable understanding of cancer cell diversity, signaling networks, and tumor microenvironment.
• Cytometry-based and microfluidics-based tools are key categories transforming oncology.

Conclusions:

• Single-cell functional proteomics tools are vital for dissecting cancer cell heterogeneity.
• These technologies enhance understanding of intercellular interactions and tumor architecture.
• Future development of single-cell tools promises greater impact on cancer therapeutics and drug discovery.