Dynamics of liver cancer cellular taxa revealed through single-cell RNA sequencing: Advances and challenges

Liver cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, representing a substantial public health challenge. The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing has significantly advanced our understanding of cellular dynamics from the onset of liver cancer to therapeutic intervention. This technology has unveiled profound insights into cancer heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment (TME), enabling the identification of key molecular drivers and phenotypic landscapes of liver cancer at a single-cell resolution. This review highlights recent advancements in mapping functional cell subsets, phenotypic alterations, and the diversity of the TME. These insights are pivotal for advancing targeted therapies and developing prognostic tools. Moreover, this review covers the ongoing challenges and advances from tumor initiation to progression, offering a detailed perspective on advancing personalized treatment.