Mastering the use of cellular barcoding to explore cancer heterogeneity
Antonin Serrano1,2,3,4, Jean Berthelet1,2, Shalin H Naik3,4
1Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Nature Reviews. Cancer
|August 18, 2022
Summary
Cellular barcoding tracks cancer clones and their evolution. This technology helps understand how genomic diversity and non-genomic factors influence tumor growth and therapy resistance in cancer research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Tumors comprise diverse malignant clones with unique genomic profiles.
- Genomic diversity in tumors correlates with increased patient mortality.
- Non-genomic factors also significantly influence clonal evolution and tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in cellular barcoding technologies for cancer research.
- To highlight the application of genetic and optical barcoding in tracking clonal fate.
- To discuss the implications of these technologies for understanding tumor heterogeneity and therapy response.
Main Methods:
- Review of lentiviral-based cellular barcoding techniques, including genetic and optical methods.
- Analysis of how these methods enable spatiotemporal tracking of individual cells and their progeny.
- Integration of omics analysis to study molecular features of barcoded cancer clones.
Main Results:
- Cellular barcoding allows for the labeling and tracking of millions of cancer clones.
- These techniques reveal complex mechanisms driving clonal fate in various microenvironments.
- Insights into clonal evolution in response to cancer therapies are elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Lentiviral-based cellular barcoding is a powerful tool for dissecting tumor heterogeneity.
- Understanding clonal dynamics is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.
- Future directions involve refining barcoding technologies for enhanced cancer research applications.
